Structure
Verb[て]+ みる
Details
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Standard
使用域
一般
Rare Kanji
見る
About てみる
In order to express that you will (or someone else should) try something, the conjunction particle て will be paired with 見る (almost always without kanji). While this is translated as 'to try to (A)', the actual meaning is closer to 'to do (A), and see (whether the result is good or not)'.
This grammar construction is usually only used when someone tries something for the first time.
This grammar construction is usually only used when someone tries something for the first time.
- 本当においしいの?今度食べてみるよ!Is it really delicious? Next time I'll try it!
- これ飲んでみる?Do you want to try this drink?
- だまされたと思って食べてみてよ。Try and eat it as if I tricked you into eating it. (Believe it or not, this tastes good)
- もう一度電源を切ってみてください。Please try to turn it off once more.
- このボール投げてみ。Try and throw this ball.
Caution
When てみた appears in the past tense, it will imply that the attempt was successful, unless specifically stated otherwise by the speaker.- あの新しいショッピングモールに行ってみたよ!すごい良かった!I tried going to that new shopping mall! It was so good!
- タケルにもらった靴を履いてみたけど、俺の足がデカすぎるから入らなかった。I tried to wear the shoes that Takeru gave me, but my feet were too big so they didn't fit.
Fun Fact
While the kanji for 見る may be used in this grammar point, it will result in the 'see' meaning being heavily stressed (rather than 'try'). This may cause a misunderstanding on the part of the person listening/reading.Synonyms
Examples
今週末に野球をしてみる。
I will try playing baseball this weekend.
イルカと泳いでみたいです。
I want to try swimming with dolphins.
明日から、フランス語を学んでみるつもりです。
From tomorrow, I intend to try learning French. (Try to learn)
今夜はフランス料理を作ってみます。
Tonight I will try to make French cuisine.
まず、食べてみてください。
First, please try to eat it.
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How to use 〜てみる
MaggieSensei
To try something out
Tae Kim
verb[て]みる vs verb[volitional]とする
StackExchange - Japanese
Offline
Genki II 1st Edition
Page 14
みんなの日本語 II
Page 96 [CH 40]
Genki II 2nd Edition
Page 34
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 167
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てみる – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (11 in total)
matt_in_mito
Hi, and welcome!
This should be 弾くことを or 弾くのを
~てみる doesn’t use this kanji. It’s just hiragana.
Other than that, I’m pretty sure it looks OK.
Suthivun
Thanks! It was very helpful.
Minori6Kaemon
There’s an explanation for this grammar point in A Dictionary Of Basic Japanese Grammar on page 246.
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