Meaning & Usage
The grammar pattern ～てみる is used when you perform an action to 'test the waters' or see what the outcome will be. While English often uses 'try doing,' this Japanese expression specifically implies doing something to gain 情報 (information) or 経験 (experience). It carries a sense of 好奇心 (curiosity) rather than just pure effort.
It is important to distinguish this from 'trying' in the sense of struggling with a difficult task. For example, if you are struggling to lift a heavy 荷物 (luggage), you would not use this pattern. Instead, use ～てみる when the action is an experiment. 食べてみる means you eat something to find out if it tastes good. 行ってみる means you go somewhere to see what the place is like.
In everyday conversation, ～てみる sounds casual and natural. To be 丁寧 (polite), change it to ～てみます or ～てみました. Using this pattern often makes your 提案 (suggestions) sound softer. It shifts the focus from a direct command to a light invitation to try something out.
Structure & Formation
The formation is quite straightforward. First, conjugate the 動詞 (verb) into its te-form and then add the auxiliary verb みる. Although it originates from the verb 見る (to see), it is almost always written in 平仮名 (hiragana) when used in this grammar pattern.
| Verb Type | Dictionary Form | Te-form | ~te miru Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (五段) | 飲む (drink) | 飲んで | 飲んでみる |
| Group 2 (一段) | 食べる (eat) | 食べて | 食べてみる |
| Group 3 (不規則) | する (do) | して | してみる |
| Group 3 (不規則) | 来る (come) | 来て | 来てみる |
Once formed, みる behaves like a standard Group 2 (一段) verb. You can conjugate it into various forms, such as ～てみたい (want to try) or ～てみてください (please try doing).
Example Sentences
Experiences and Tasting
この料理はとてもおいしそうなので、食べてみたいです。
Kono ryouri wa totemo oishisou na node, tabete mitai desu.
This dish looks very delicious, so I want to try it.
昨日、初めて納豆を食べてみました。
Kinou, hajimete nattou wo tabete mimashita.
Yesterday, I tried eating natto for the first time.
日本のお酒を飲んでみましたが、ちょっと強かったです。
Nihon no osake wo nonde mimashita ga, chotto tsuyokatta desu.
I tried the Japanese sake, but it was a bit strong.
Trying on Clothes and Items
この服が好きなので、試着室で着てみてもいいですか。
Kono fuku ga suki na node, shichakushitsu de kite mitemo ii desu ka.
I like these clothes; may I try them on in the fitting room?
サイズが合うか、この靴を履いてみてください。
Saizu ga au ka, kono kutsu wo haite mite kudasai.
Please try on these shoes to see if the size fits.
Testing Actions and Research
分からないことがあれば、ネットで調べてみます。
Wakaranai koto ga areba, netto de shirabete mimasu.
If there is something I don't understand, I will try looking it up online.
一度、その難しい本を読んでみたほうがいいですよ。
Ichido, sono muzukashii hon wo yonde mita hou ga ii desu yo.
You should try reading that difficult book at least once.
Communication and Exploration
彼に電話してみましたが、出ませんでした。
Kare ni denwa shite mimashita ga, demasen deshita.
I tried calling him, but he didn't answer.
勇気を出して、彼女に話し掛けてみました。
Yuuki wo dashite, kanojo ni hanashikakete mimashita.
I gathered my courage and tried striking up a conversation with her.
自分でパソコンを直してみましたが、ダメでした。
Jibun de pasokon wo naoshite mimashita ga, dame deshita.
I tried fixing the computer myself, but I had no luck.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using Kanji for the Helper Verb
❌ 食べて見る ✅ 食べてみる
When みる functions as a grammar point, it should stay in 平仮名 (hiragana). Using the kanji 見る makes it look like you are literally watching something while you eat, which changes the 意味 (meaning).
Mistake 2: Confusing with ~ou to suru (~おうとする)
❌ 重い箱を持ってみましたが、できませんでした。
✅ 重い箱を持とうとしましたが、できませんでした。
If you are putting in 努力 (effort) to complete a difficult task, use the volitional form + とする. Use ～てみる only for testing an experience. You don't 'test' lifting a heavy box; you 'attempt' to lift it.
Mistake 3: Using with Involuntary Verbs
❌ 雨が降ってみる。
✅ 雨が降る。
This pattern requires a 意志動詞 (volitional verb) where the subject has control. Natural phenomena like rain or wind cannot 'try' to do anything because they lack 意志 (will).
Cultural Notes
In Japan, using ～てみる is often connected to the culture of 謙虚 (humility). By saying you will 'try' to do something instead of saying you 'will' do it, you manage expectations. It sounds less 傲慢 (arrogant) because you are not guaranteeing a perfect result.
For instance, if a 上司 (boss) gives you a task, 「やってみます」 (I'll try) is usually more appropriate than a blunt 「やります」 (I'll do it). It shows a 前向き (positive) attitude while acknowledging that the process involves 試行錯誤 (trial and error).
Related Grammar Points
- Hearsay (I heard that): Souda (Grammar N4)
- Sequence and Starting Points: Using てから (te kara) (Grammar N4)
- Resultant State (Intentional) - Te-aru (Grammar N4)
- Mastering the Japanese Passive Voice (Ukemi-kei) (Grammar N4)
- Using かもしれない (kamoshirenai) to Express Possibility (Grammar N4)
- The Grammar of Appearance: Using ～そうだ (Grammar N4)
JLPT Tips
For the N4 exam, practice recognizing ～てみる in the 聴解 (listening) section. Speakers often use ～てみよう (let's try) to suggest an idea. Pay 注意 (attention) to whether the person has already done the action or is just planning to.
In the 読解 (reading) section, look for the ～てみた form. This usually indicates that a trial is complete, and the author is about to share their 感想 (impression). Understanding these small tense changes is key to answering comprehension questions correctly.
Finally, remember that みる is a Group 2 verb. You can conjugate it into many forms like ～てみれば (if you try) or ～てみられる (can try). Practicing these combinations will help you handle more complex sentences in the test.