Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 7: 4/17

~て()せるI will definitely, I will certainly, Just watch, Whatever it takes, I swear, for sure

Structure

Verb[て]+ みせる

Details

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About Verb[て] + みせる

()せる, primarily written in hiragana, is an emphatic structure that indicates that the speaker is going to do (A) in a way that it is clear to the listener. This can be translated as 'I will definitely (A)', or 'I swear I will (A)', but the literal translation of 'I will show you that I'll do (A)' also makes the point clear.

To use てみせる, simply alter the verb preceding it into its て-form.

Due to みせる requiring a target for who the speaker is showing, this grammar pattern will only be used when there is either directly someone that will be shown (A), or when the speaker is talking about showing someone (A) that does not happen to be there at the moment either physically or temporally. It will not be used when simply strongly stating that you will do (A), unless who sees that (A) is important. In a sentence like this, where the person being shown is not obvious, it will come across as 'I'll show everyone'.

As ()せる literally just means to 'show (A)', it will often be used without any special emphasis. Whether it is being used emphatically or not will usually be obvious from the overall context of the sentence.

Examples

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    (なに)があっても、(かなら)ずファンの期待(きたい)(こた)えて()せます!」

    'No matter what happens, I will definitely live up to my fans' expectations!'

    ピアニスト:「この(きょく)明日(あした)までに()きこなしてみせる!」

    Pianist: ‘I will definitely be able to play this song well by tomorrow!’

    今年(ことし)こそ、(かなら)運転(うんてん)免許(めんきょ)()って()せるよ。」

    'I will definitely get a drivers license this year!'

    「どんな()使(つか)ってでも、絶対(ぜったい)成功(せいこう)して()せる!」

    'I will definitely win, no matter what it takes!'

    (つま)(よろこ)ばせるような美味(おい)しい料理(りょうり)(つく)ってみせる

    I will make delicious food that my wife will be thankful for, just watch!

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      Verb[て] + みせる – Grammar Discussion

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