Try Doing (~te miru)
〜てみる
~てみる expresses trying something to see what it's like or what happens.
Pattern
Te-form + みる
Explanation
~てみる literally means 'do and see' and is used when trying something for the first time or to see what the result will be. It carries a sense of experimentation or curiosity.
This pattern is very commonly used in everyday Japanese. It is different from ~ようとする, which means 'attempt to do' (with possible failure implied). ~てみる focuses on the experience of trying, not on whether the attempt succeeds.
The past form ~てみた is used to report that you tried something, and ~てみたい expresses wanting to try something. In polite form: ~てみます, ~てみました, ~てみたいです.
Examples
この料理を食べてみてください。
このりょうりをたべてみてください。
kono ryouri wo tabete mite kudasai.
Please try eating this dish.
日本に行ってみたい。
にほんにいってみたい。
nihon ni itte mitai.
I want to try going to Japan.
新しい方法を試してみよう。
あたらしいほうほうをためしてみよう。
atarashii houhou wo tameshite miyou.
Let's try a new method.
着物を着てみたことがありますか。
きものをきてみたことがありますか。
kimono wo kite mita koto ga arimasu ka.
Have you ever tried wearing a kimono?
Common Mistakes
Wrong
食べるみる
Correct
食べてみる
みる must follow the te-form, not the dictionary form.
Wrong
してみる when meaning 'attempt with effort'
Correct
しようとする
てみる means 'try to see what it's like.' For 'attempt/try hard to do,' use ようとする instead.
Wrong
この本を読んでみる (when you've already read it)
Correct
この本を読む
てみる implies a first-time or experimental experience. Don't use it for routine actions.
Related Grammar Points
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