Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 6: 15/16

～てみる

To try to

Structure

Verb［て］+ みる

Details

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    Standard

  • 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(み)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.

As mentioned above, this phrase is also used when suggesting that someone else should try something. In these situations, (A) + てみて, or more formally, (A) + てみてください will be used.

Sometimes, in very casual situations, even the て will be dropped, and (A) + てみ will be used by itself. This usually has the nuance of 'come on, just give it a go!'

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(あたら)しいショッピングモールに行(い)ってみたよ！すごい良(よ)かった！
    I tried going to that new shopping mall! It was so good!
  • タケルにもらった靴(くつ)を履(は)いてみたけど、俺(おれ)の足(あし)がデカすぎるから入(はい)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(み)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.

Examples

--:--

    今週末(こんしゅうまつ)に野球(やきゅう)をしてみる。

    I will try playing baseball this weekend.

    イルカと泳(およ)いでみたいです。

    I want to try swimming with dolphins.

    明日(あした)から、フランス語(ご)を学(まな)んでみるつもりです。

    From tomorrow, I intend to try learning French. (Try to learn)

    今夜(こんや)はフランス料理(りょうり)を作(つく)ってみます。

    Tonight I will try to make French cuisine.

    まず、食(た)べてみてください。

    First, please try to eat it.

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てみる – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (11 in total)

  • matt_in_mito

    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

    Suthivun

    Thanks! It was very helpful.

  • Minori6Kaemon

    Minori6Kaemon

    There’s an explanation for this grammar point in A Dictionary Of Basic Japanese Grammar on page 246.

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