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!
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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
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イルカと泳いでみたいです。
I want to try swimming with dolphins.
まず、食べてみてください。
First, please try to eat it.
柔道をしてみたいです。
I want to try to do Judo.
図書館で、調べてみるつもりです。
I intend to try to look it up at the library.
先週末、スキーをしてみた。
I tried skiing last weekend.
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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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