「〜てみる」- Trying Something

Explanation

In Japanese, the grammatical structure 〜てみる is commonly used to express the idea of "trying something." Its primary function is to indicate attempting an action to see the result or experience it. It is typically attached to the て-form of a verb and connects to other parts of the sentence.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb て-form + みる	Verb て-form + みる	Indicates trying to do something to see the result or experience it.

Basic Usage

The basic structure of 〜てみる is:

• Verb て-form + みる

Verb Example	Meaning
見みてみる	Try to see
食たべてみる	Try to eat

When using this structure, it can only be attached to volitional verbs, meaning actions that the speaker can actively initiate.

Examples

• 日本にほんのコンビニこんびにで売うっている白玉しらたまを食たべてみます。
• Nihon no konbini de utteiru shiratama o tabetemimasu.
• I’ll try eating the shiratama sold at Japanese convenience stores.
  

• あしたあした木村きむらさんに聞きいてみます。
• Ashita Kimura-san ni kiitemimasu.
• I’ll try asking Kimura tomorrow.
  

Advanced Applications

As you progress in your studies, 〜てみる can be combined with other grammatical structures to express more complex ideas.

〜てみたい

This structure means "want to try doing something" and is formed as:

• Verb て-form + みたい

Example:

• 彼女かのじょの作つくった料理りょうりが食たべてみたいです。
• Kanojo no tsukutta ryouri ga tabetemitai desu.
• I want to try eating the food my girlfriend made.
  

〜てみてください

This structure means "please try doing something" and is formed as:

• Verb て-form + みてください

Example:

• このジュースじゅーすを少すこし飲のんでみてください。
• Kono juusu o sukoshi nonde mite kudasai.
• Please try drinking a little of this juice.
  

Deep Dive

〜てみる expresses the concept of trying something, often in uncertain situations. It can be used to encourage oneself or others to try new things. This grammar is also suitable for expressing curiosity or exploration about something.

Comparisons and Differences

「〜てみる」and「〜てみせる」

• 〜てみる means "try to do something," while 〜てみせる means "show someone by doing," emphasizing demonstration or proof.

Expression	Usage	Example
〜てみる	Indicates trying	彼かれは日本語にほんごを話はなしてみる。
〜てみせる	Indicates showing	彼かれは日本語にほんごを話はなしてみせる。

「〜てみる」and「〜てみたら」

• 〜てみる is used to indicate trying something, while 〜てみたら indicates the result after trying.

Expression	Usage	Example
〜てみる	Indicates trying	この服ふくを着きてみる。
〜てみたら	Indicates result	この服ふくを着きてみたら、意外いがいに似合にあっていた。

Real-Life Scenarios

〜てみる is often used in everyday conversations, especially in scenarios like shopping, dining, and traveling. For example:

• 新学期しんがっき始はじまるから髪かみを染そめてみた。
• Shingakki hajimaru kara kami o sometemita.
• Since the new semester is starting, I tried dyeing my hair.
  

Summary

Through this explanation, we’ve learned the basic usage and advanced applications of the Japanese grammar point 〜てみる. It not only expresses trying something but can also be combined with other grammatical structures to convey richer and more nuanced meanings. Mastering this grammar point will make your Japanese expressions more natural and diverse.