可愛がる (Kawaigaru) is a Japanese godan verb meaning “to be affectionate to, to treat tenderly, to dote on, to show one's love (for)”.
Meanings
- godan verb, transitive verbto be affectionate to; to treat tenderly; to dote on; to show one's love (for); to cherish
- godan verb, transitive verbto show favouritism to; to be partial to
- godan verb, transitive verbto fondle; to caress; to pet
- godan verb, transitive verbto be tough on; to be rough with; to torment; to train harshlyused ironically; often as 可愛がってやる
Examples
父も母に劣らず私をかわいがってくれた。
My father loved me no less deeply than my mother.
母親は往々にして子供をかわいがり過ぎる。
Mothers often pamper their children.
父は私の弟を掌中の玉のようにかわいがった。
My brother was the apple of my father's eye.
Sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR).