Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
Try an action and see what happens
Attach みる to the て-form to say that someone tries an action. The focus is not just doing the action; it is testing it, experiencing it, or seeing the result.
Target signal
この料理を食べてみる。
I will try eating this dish.
食べてみる means to try eating it, perhaps because it is new.
Vocabulary notes
- てみる
- to try doing ...
- 食べて
- eat and...
- みる
- to see; to watch
Compare in context
もう一度読んでみます。
I will try reading it one more time.
The polite ending makes the attempt sound calm and natural.
Vocabulary notes
- もう一度
- one more time; again
- 読んで
- reading and
- ます
- polite verb ending
Compare in context
新しいアプリを使ってみます。
I will try using the new app.
This is useful when testing a tool, place, food, or method.
Vocabulary notes
- アプリ
- app; application
- 使って
- using and
- 新しい
- new
Section 2 of 3
Friendly suggestions with 〜てみて
Because 〜てみる sounds exploratory, it is common in advice and suggestions. 〜てみて can mean “try doing it,” and 〜てみませんか can invite someone gently.
Target signal
分からなかったら、先生に聞いてみて。
If you do not understand, try asking the teacher.
The suggestion is softer than simply telling someone to ask.
Vocabulary notes
- 聞いて
- hearing; listening and
- たら
- if; when
- から
- from; because
Preview
漢字をノートに書いてみてください。
Please try writing the kanji in your notebook.
てください turns the suggestion into a polite classroom-style request.
Vocabulary notes
- てください
- please do ...
- ください
- please give; please do
- ノート
- notebook
Preview
この店に入ってみませんか。
Would you like to try going into this shop?
みませんか makes the attempt into a gentle invitation.
Vocabulary notes
- ませんか
- won't you ...?; shall we ...?
- みません
- do not watch; will not see
- ません
- polite negative verb ending
Section 3 of 3
Trying, wanting to try, and finding out
When 〜てみる combines with other patterns, read the whole chunk. 〜てみたい means “want to try,” and 〜てみたら often leads into what someone discovered after trying.
Target signal
小さい声で言ってみた。
I tried saying it in a small voice.
The speaker attempted the action once and noticed the result.
Vocabulary notes
- 小さい
- small
- 言って
- saying and...
- って
- colloquial quoting or topic particle
Preview
日本語で日記を書いてみたい。
I want to try writing a diary in Japanese.
〜てみたい adds desire to the idea of trying something.
Vocabulary notes
- てみたい
- to want to try doing ...
- みたい
- like; similar to
- 日本語
- Japanese language
Preview
駅まで歩いてみたら、近かった。
When I tried walking to the station, it was close.
The sentence reports a discovery after trying the action.
Vocabulary notes
- 歩いて
- walking
- たら
- if; when
- まで
- until; up to