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B1 noun #1,600 am häufigsten 12 Min. Lesezeit

〜てみる

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At the A1 level, learners are just beginning to grasp the concept of the te-form, which is a major milestone in early Japanese studies. While the full nuance of 〜てみる might be slightly advanced for absolute beginners, they are frequently exposed to it in its imperative form: 〜てみてください (te-mite kudasai), meaning 'please try doing'. Teachers use this constantly in the classroom. For example, a teacher might say '読んでみてください' (yonde mite kudasai - please try reading) or '書いてみてください' (kaite mite kudasai - please try writing). At this stage, learners do not need to deeply analyze the auxiliary nature of 'miru'; they simply need to memorize it as a set phrase used for polite requests and encouragement. They learn that adding 'mite kudasai' to a te-form makes the request softer and more inviting than just using the bare te-form + kudasai. It introduces them to the Japanese cultural preference for gentle suggestions over direct commands. The primary focus is on recognizing the pattern and responding appropriately when instructed to 'try' an activity in a learning environment.

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As learners progress to the A2 level, they gain active control over the 〜てみる structure. They learn how to conjugate the auxiliary verb 'miru' into its basic forms: polite present/future (〜てみます), polite past (〜てみました), and the highly useful desire form (〜てみたいです). This empowers them to express their own intentions and curiosities. They can now say things like '日本食を食べてみたいです' (I want to try eating Japanese food) or 'その映画を見てみました' (I tried watching that movie). At this stage, the distinction between literal 'seeing' and auxiliary 'trying' becomes clear. Learners practice applying this grammar point to everyday situations such as shopping (trying on clothes), dining (tasting new foods), and travel (visiting new places). They also begin to understand that this structure is strictly for actions they can control, and they practice forming sentences that express a lighthearted willingness to experience something new, expanding their conversational repertoire significantly beyond simple statements of fact.

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At the B1 level, 〜てみる becomes a fully integrated and highly nuanced tool in the learner's grammatical arsenal. The critical learning objective here is differentiating 〜てみる from other 'trying' expressions, most notably the volitional form + とする (you to suru). Learners must master the conceptual difference between testing something out of curiosity (te-miru) and making a strenuous effort to achieve a goal (you to suru). They also learn to combine 〜てみる with more complex grammatical structures, such as conditionals (〜てみたら - if/when I try doing) and giving advice (〜てみれば - if you try doing). They begin to use it naturally in problem-solving contexts, such as 'パソコンを再起動してみます' (I'll try restarting the computer). Furthermore, B1 learners are expected to recognize and adhere to the orthographic convention of writing the auxiliary 'miru' in hiragana (みる) rather than kanji (見る), demonstrating a deeper understanding of Japanese writing style and auxiliary verb conventions.

B2 learners utilize 〜てみる with a high degree of fluency and cultural appropriateness. They understand its role in softening statements and making interactions more harmonious. At this level, learners can seamlessly weave this grammar point into complex, multi-clause sentences. They might use it to express tentative conclusions or to propose hypothetical scenarios in discussions and debates. For instance, they can say '専門家の意見を聞いてみないことには、判断できません' (Unless we try asking an expert's opinion, we cannot make a judgment). They are also adept at using the negative forms (〜てみない) and negative invitations (〜てみませんか) to politely suggest alternative courses of action. B2 learners fully grasp the subtle emotional undertones of the expression, using it to convey open-mindedness, a willingness to compromise, and a collaborative spirit in both social and professional environments, avoiding the bluntness that can sometimes characterize lower-level speech.

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At the C1 level, the use of 〜てみる is completely internalized and automatic. Learners at this stage can manipulate the structure to achieve highly specific rhetorical effects. They understand how to use it in formal business settings (Keigo) by elevating the auxiliary verb. For example, instead of just saying '聞いてみます' (I will try asking), they can elevate it to '伺ってみます' (I will humbly try asking) or '検討してみます' (I will try considering it), blending the concept of 'trial' with profound respect. They can also recognize and produce variations in casual speech, understanding the slight phonetic shifts and the dropping of particles that occur in rapid, natural conversation. C1 learners can effortlessly contrast 〜てみる with other advanced te-form auxiliaries like 〜てみせる (to do and show determination) and can analyze literature or media to understand why an author chose to use 〜てみる in a specific context to highlight a character's psychological state or hesitation.

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For a C2 learner, 〜てみる is not just a grammar point; it is a fundamental reflection of Japanese epistemology—how knowledge is acquired through experience rather than mere assertion. At this mastery level, learners can discuss the linguistic and cultural implications of the phrase. They can effortlessly navigate the most complex and nuanced applications, such as using it in classical or literary contexts, or understanding its role in idiomatic expressions. They can flawlessly integrate it with the highest levels of Keigo and Kenjougo, dynamically adjusting their register based on the social hierarchy and the specific context of the interaction. A C2 speaker uses 〜てみる to navigate delicate negotiations, to offer highly indirect but clear suggestions, and to express a sophisticated, nuanced worldview that perfectly aligns with native-level sociolinguistic norms, demonstrating an absolute command over the subtleties of Japanese communication.

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〜てみる in 30 Sekunden

Attaches to the te-form of verbs.
Means 'to try doing' or 'do and see'.
Implies curiosity, not a hard struggle.
Usually written in hiragana (みる).

The Japanese expression 〜てみる (te-miru) is a fundamental and highly versatile grammatical structure that serves as a subsidiary verb in Japanese sentence construction. When we break down this expression, it consists of two distinct parts: the te-form of a primary verb, followed by the verb みる (miru). In its standalone form, the verb 見る (miru) translates directly to 'to see' or 'to look'. However, when it is attached to the te-form of another verb, it loses its literal meaning of physical sight and instead takes on a functional, auxiliary role. In this context, 〜てみる translates to 'to try doing [the action]' or 'to do [the action] and see what happens'. This construction is incredibly common in everyday Japanese because it perfectly encapsulates the human experience of curiosity, experimentation, and trial. It is important to understand that this expression does not imply a difficult struggle or a massive effort to achieve an impossible goal; rather, it implies a lighthearted or curious attempt to experience something new or to test a particular outcome. For instance, if you are at a restaurant and you see a dish you have never eaten before, you might use this structure to express your desire to taste it just to see if it is delicious.

Literal vs Figurative Meaning: Literally, it means 'to do and see', but figuratively, it means to test an action out of curiosity to discover the result or feeling associated with it.

新しいレストランで寿司を食べてみる。

This structure is deeply embedded in the Japanese communicative style, which often favors softness and indirectness. By saying you will 'try' doing something, you soften the assertiveness of your statement. It sounds much more polite and open-minded than simply stating you will do it. Furthermore, the expression can be conjugated just like any regular Group 2 (Ichidan) verb. You can say 〜てみます (polite), 〜てみたい (want to try), 〜てみた (tried), or even 〜てみてください (please try doing). This flexibility makes it an essential tool for learners aiming to reach the B1 CEFR level and beyond.

Curiosity Factor: The core nuance is always driven by a desire to know the unknown. You don't use this for things you already do every day with predictable results.

この靴を履いてみる。

Let us delve deeper into the psychological aspect of this grammar point. When a speaker uses 〜てみる, they are subtly inviting the listener into their process of discovery. It is a shared experience of stepping into the unknown.

彼に聞いてみるよ。

In the example above, 'I will try asking him', the speaker doesn't know what the answer will be, but they are willing to initiate the action to find out. This is fundamentally different from 'I will ask him' (彼に聞く), which is a simple statement of future fact. The distinction between testing something out and struggling to do something is a common stumbling block for learners, but mastering it unlocks a much more natural, native-sounding level of Japanese expression.

Grammatical Classification: It is classified as a subsidiary verb (補助動詞 - hojodoushi), meaning it attaches to the te-form of a main verb to add supplementary meaning.

そのアプリを使ってみる。

日本へ行ってみるつもりです。

Ultimately, understanding 〜てみる is about understanding the Japanese approach to new experiences: gentle, inquisitive, and always open to discovering what happens next without forcing an outcome.

Using the 〜てみる (te-miru) construction requires a solid grasp of Japanese verb conjugations, specifically the te-form (て形). The te-form is one of the most critical foundational elements in Japanese grammar, acting as a connective tissue that allows verbs to link with various auxiliary structures. To construct a sentence using this grammar point, you must first identify the primary action you want to 'try' doing. Once you have that verb, you conjugate it into its te-form. For Group 1 (Godan) verbs, the conjugation depends on the final syllable of the dictionary form (e.g., 飲む becomes 飲んで, 書く becomes 書いて). For Group 2 (Ichidan) verbs, you simply drop the final 'ru' and add 'te' (e.g., 食べる becomes 食べて, 見る becomes 見て). For the irregular Group 3 verbs, する becomes して, and 来る (kuru) becomes 来て (kite).

Basic Construction: Main Verb (te-form) + みる (miru). The 'miru' part can then be conjugated into any tense or form required by the context.

漢字を書いてみる。

After successfully attaching みる to the te-form, the entire phrase functions as a new verb phrase, and the みる part dictates the tense, politeness level, and modality of the sentence. Because みる is a Group 2 (Ichidan) verb, it is incredibly easy to conjugate. If you want to say 'I will try doing it' politely, you change みる to みます. If you want to say 'I tried doing it' in the past tense, it becomes みた (casual) or みました (polite).

富士山に登ってみたいです。

This specific combination (te-mitai) is frequently used when discussing dreams, travel plans, or bucket-list items. It expresses a yearning to experience something firsthand. Another vital conjugation is the request form. When you want to encourage someone else to try something, you conjugate みる into its te-form and add ください (kudasai), creating 〜てみてください (te-mite kudasai).

Requesting Others: Using 〜てみてください is a polite and encouraging way to suggest that someone test something out, like tasting food or trying on clothes.

このケーキを食べてみてください。

It is also possible to use this grammar point in negative constructions, though it requires careful attention to nuance. You can say 〜てみない (te-minai), which translates to 'will not try doing', or as a negative invitation, 'won't you try doing?' (〜てみませんか).

一緒にやってみませんか。

Conditional Usage: You can also use conditional forms like 〜てみれば (if you try doing) or 〜てみたら (when/if you try doing) to express hypothetical outcomes based on an initial trial.

一度行ってみたらどうですか。

Mastering these various conjugations of the auxiliary みる allows for a vast range of expressive capabilities, turning simple statements of fact into nuanced expressions of desire, suggestion, and experiential learning.

The expression 〜てみる (te-miru) is ubiquitous in the Japanese language, permeating almost every facet of daily life, from casual conversations among friends to formal business interactions, and even in media such as anime, dramas, and literature. Because it deals with the concept of trying something new or testing an outcome, its applications are incredibly broad. One of the most common environments where you will hear this phrase is in the context of shopping, particularly when buying clothing or accessories. When you are in a retail store and you want to see if a shirt fits or if a pair of shoes is comfortable, you will invariably use this grammar point.

Retail and Shopping: Used extensively when asking for permission to try on items. The verb changes based on the item (着る for shirts, 履く for shoes, かぶる for hats).

これを着てみてもいいですか。

Another incredibly common scenario is dining and cooking. Food is a central part of Japanese culture, and sharing new culinary experiences is a frequent topic of conversation. Whether someone is offering you a taste of a dish they cooked, or you are expressing your intention to sample a famous local delicacy while traveling, 〜てみる is the go-to expression.

このスープ、飲んでみて。

Beyond the physical realms of shopping and eating, this grammar point is deeply ingrained in problem-solving and troubleshooting, especially in professional or technical environments. When a colleague suggests a potential solution to a software bug or a mechanical issue, they will often frame it as a trial action.

Business and Troubleshooting: Used to propose a tentative solution or a test run of a new idea without guaranteeing immediate success.

パソコンを再起動してみます。

In the realm of entertainment and media, you will frequently encounter the desire form (〜てみたい) in interviews, talk shows, and character dialogue. Celebrities might talk about roles they want to attempt, or anime protagonists might declare their intention to challenge a new opponent just to test their strength.

いつか宇宙へ行ってみたい。

Travel and Tourism: Travelers constantly use this to express their itinerary goals, focusing on the experience rather than just the destination.

京都の古いお寺を見てみたいです。

By paying attention to these contexts, learners can quickly grasp the subtle social functions of 〜てみる, recognizing it not just as a grammatical rule, but as a cultural tool for expressing curiosity, offering gentle suggestions, and navigating the world of new experiences with a polite and open demeanor.

While 〜てみる (te-miru) is an incredibly useful and relatively straightforward grammar point, learners frequently encounter several pitfalls when integrating it into their active vocabulary. The most prominent and persistent mistake is confusing the nuance of 'trying' in 〜てみる with the nuance of 'trying' in the volitional form + とする (you to suru). In English, the word 'try' is heavily overloaded; it can mean testing something out of curiosity (I tried the sushi), or it can mean making a strenuous effort to achieve a difficult goal (I tried to lift the heavy box). In Japanese, these two concepts are strictly separated.

The 'Effort' Fallacy: Using 〜てみる when you mean to express a difficult struggle or an attempt to overcome a physical or mental barrier is grammatically incorrect and sounds unnatural.

❌ ドアを開けてみたが、鍵がかかっていた。(Incorrect if implying struggle)

If you say ドアを開けてみた (doa o akete mita), it implies you casually tested the door to see if it would open. If you mean 'I struggled to open the door', you must use ドアを開けようとした (doa o akeyou to shita). This distinction is paramount for achieving a natural B1/B2 level of proficiency. Another common error involves orthography, specifically the overuse of kanji.

❌ 寿司を食べて見る。

⭕️ 寿司を食べてみる。

A third frequent mistake is related to verb transitivity and the particle used. Because 〜てみる focuses on the action of the main verb, the particles in the sentence are governed by that main verb, not by the auxiliary 'miru'.

Particle Confusion: Do not change the object particle just because 'miru' is attached. If the main verb takes 'ni', keep 'ni'. If it takes 'o', keep 'o'.

先生に聞いてみる。(Correct: 聞く takes に)

Furthermore, learners sometimes mistakenly use this grammar point with verbs that describe uncontrollable states or spontaneous occurrences. You cannot 'try' to have it rain, or 'try' to drop something accidentally.

Volitional Control: The main verb must be an action that the subject has volitional control over. You can only test an action if you can consciously choose to perform it.

❌ 雨が降ってみる。(Incorrect: Cannot control rain)

By being mindful of these specific nuances—avoiding the effort fallacy, adhering to hiragana orthography, maintaining correct particles, and ensuring volitional control—learners can utilize 〜てみる with the precision and natural flow of a native speaker.

In the rich tapestry of Japanese grammar, there are several auxiliary verb constructions that utilize the te-form, and understanding the subtle distinctions between them is crucial for advanced fluency. While 〜てみる (te-miru) specifically denotes trying an action to see what happens, it is often taught alongside and sometimes confused with other te-form auxiliaries such as 〜ておく (te-oku), 〜てしまう (te-shimau), and the previously mentioned volitional form 〜ようとする (you to suru). Each of these serves a distinct psychological and temporal function in a sentence.

〜ておく (te-oku): This means to do something in advance as a preparation for the future. While 'miru' is about discovery, 'oku' is about readiness.

ホテルを予約しておく。(I will book the hotel in advance.)

If you were to say ホテルを予約してみる (hoteru o yoyaku shite miru), it would mean 'I will try booking the hotel (to see if it's possible or what the process is like)', which carries a completely different intention. Another highly common auxiliary is 〜てしまう (te-shimau).

〜てしまう (te-shimau): This expresses that an action was completed fully, often carrying a nuance of regret, accident, or unintended consequence.

ケーキを全部食べてしまった。(I accidentally ate all the cake.)

Contrast this with ケーキを食べてみた (I tried eating the cake). The former implies a lack of control or a regrettable completion, whereas the latter implies a deliberate, curious test. We must also revisit the critical comparison with 〜ようとする (you to suru), as it is the most direct translation competitor for the English word 'try'.

〜ようとする (you to suru): This indicates an attempt to do something that requires effort, often implying that the attempt might fail or is currently in progress.

重い箱を持ち上げようとした。(I tried/struggled to lift the heavy box.)

新しいゲームをやってみる。(I will try playing the new game.)

Finally, there is the casual suffix 〜てみせる (te-miseru), which literally means 'to do and show'. This is used when the speaker is expressing a strong determination to accomplish something to prove a point to someone else.

絶対に勝ってみせる。(I will definitely win and show you.)

While visually and phonetically similar to 〜てみる, the intent behind 〜てみせる is aggressive and determined, completely lacking the gentle curiosity of 〜てみる. By mastering these distinctions, learners can navigate the complex landscape of Japanese auxiliary verbs with confidence and precision.

How Formal Is It?

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Te-form (て形)

〜たい (Desire form)

〜てください (Polite request)

〜ようとする (Volitional + to suru)

〜ておく (Te-oku - preparation)

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Beispiele nach Niveau

これを食べてみてください。

Please try eating this.

te-form + mite kudasai (polite request to try)

読んでみてください。

Please try reading it.

te-form of yomu (yonde) + mite kudasai

書いてみてください。

Please try writing it.

te-form of kaku (kaite) + mite kudasai

言ってみてください。

Please try saying it.

te-form of iu (itte) + mite kudasai

見てみてください。

Please try looking at it.

te-form of miru (mite) + mite kudasai

使ってみてください。

Please try using it.

te-form of tsukau (tsukatte) + mite kudasai

飲んでみてください。

Please try drinking it.

te-form of nomu (nonde) + mite kudasai

やってみてください。

Please try doing it.

te-form of yaru (yatte) + mite kudasai

日本に行ってみたいです。

I want to try going to Japan.

te-form + mitai (want to try)

新しい靴を履いてみました。

I tried putting on the new shoes.

te-form + mimashita (tried doing - polite past)

このケーキを作ってみます。

I will try making this cake.

te-form + mimasu (will try doing - polite present/future)

先生に聞いてみます。

I will try asking the teacher.

te-form of kiku (kiite) + mimasu

寿司を食べてみたいです。

I want to try eating sushi.

te-form of taberu (tabete) + mitai desu

あの映画を見てみました。

I tried watching that movie.

te-form of miru (mite) + mimashita

少し休んでみます。

I will try resting a little.

te-form of yasumu (yasunde) + mimasu

自分でやってみたいです。

I want to try doing it myself.

jibun de (by oneself) + yatte mitai desu

サイズが合うかどうか、着てみてもいいですか。

May I try putting it on to see if the size fits?

te-form + mite mo ii desu ka (asking permission to try)

パソコンを再起動してみましたが、直りませんでした。

I tried restarting the computer, but it didn't fix it.

te-form + mimashita ga (tried doing, but...)

一度、彼と話してみるべきだと思います。

I think you should try talking with him once.

te-form + miru beki (should try doing)

わからない言葉は、辞書で調べてみましょう。

Let's try looking up words we don't understand in the dictionary.

te-form + mimashou (let's try doing)

おいしいと聞いたので、買ってみました。

I heard it was delicious, so I tried buying it.

reason + te-form + mimashita

どうなるかわからないけど、やってみるよ。

I don't know what will happen, but I'll try doing it.

casual te-form + miru yo

もう少し安くならないか、交渉してみます。

I will try negotiating to see if it can become a little cheaper.

te-form + mimasu in a business/negotiation context

このアプリ、便利そうだから使ってみたら？

This app looks convenient, so how about you try using it?

te-form + mitara? (casual suggestion to try)

失敗を恐れずに、何でも挑戦してみることが大切です。

It is important to try challenging yourself with anything without fearing failure.

te-form + miru koto ga taisetsu (the act of trying is important)

彼が本当に来るかどうか、電話して確かめてみよう。

Let's try calling to confirm whether he is really coming or not.

te-form + miyou (volitional form of miru - let's try)

この問題を別の角度から考えてみる必要があります。

There is a need to try thinking about this problem from a different angle.

te-form + miru hitsuyou ga aru (need to try doing)

実際に現地へ行ってみないことには、状況は把握できない。

Unless we try actually going to the site, we cannot grasp the situation.

te-form + minai koto ni wa (unless one tries doing)

とりあえず、企画書を作成して提出してみます。

For now, I will try creating and submitting the proposal.

multiple te-forms culminating in te-mimasu

彼女の気持ちを理解してみようと努力した。

I made an effort to try to understand her feelings.

te-miyou to suru (attempting to try - combining both structures)

新しいシステムを導入してみたところ、効率が上がった。

Upon trying to introduce the new system, efficiency increased.

te-mita tokoro (when I tried doing, [result occurred])

いくら探してみても、その鍵は見つからなかった。

No matter how much I tried searching, that key could not be found.

ikura + te-form + mite mo (no matter how much one tries)

専門家の意見を仰いでみてはいかがでしょうか。

How about trying to seek the opinion of an expert?

te-form + mite wa ikaga deshou ka (highly polite suggestion)

この件につきましては、社内で一度検討してみる所存です。

Regarding this matter, it is our intention to try considering it once within the company.

te-form + miru shozon desu (formal business expression of intent)

彼の提案を試しに実行してみた結果、予想外の成果が得られた。

As a result of trying to execute his proposal as a test, unexpected results were obtained.

tameshi ni (as a test) + te-mita kekka (as a result of trying)

いくら説得してみたところで、彼の決意は揺るがないだろう。

Even if we try persuading him, his determination probably won't waver.

te-mita tokoro de (even if one tries doing [it will be useless])

少し視点を変えてみるだけで、解決策が見えてくることもある。

Just by trying to change your perspective a little, there are times when a solution becomes visible.

te-miru dake de (just by trying)

その仮説が正しいかどうか、実験を通して検証してみる価値はある。

It is worth trying to verify through experiment whether that hypothesis is correct.

te-miru kachi ga aru (worth trying to do)

相手の立場に立って考えてみれば、自ずと答えは出るはずだ。

If you try thinking from the other person's standpoint, the answer should naturally emerge.

te-mireba (conditional: if you try doing)

一度やらせてみて、ダメならその時また考えればいい。

Try letting them do it once, and if it's no good, we can think about it again then.

causative te-form (yarasete) + mite (try letting someone do)

歴史の文脈に照らし合わせてみれば、その事象の特異性が浮き彫りになる。

If one tries illuminating it against the context of history, the singularity of that phenomenon stands out in relief.

Advanced vocabulary combined with te-mireba

彼がどのような意図でその発言をしたのか、推し量ってみるほかない。

We have no choice but to try to conjecture with what intent he made that statement.

te-miru hoka nai (have no choice but to try)

一見無駄に思えることでも、あえて経験してみることで得られる知見がある。

Even with things that seem useless at first glance, there is knowledge to be gained by daring to try experiencing them.

aete (daringly/purposely) + te-miru koto de

その理論を現実の経済モデルに当てはめてみた場合、いくつかの矛盾が生じる。

In the case where one tries applying that theory to a real economic model, several contradictions arise.

te-mita baai (in the case that one tries)

彼の真意を探ってみたが、結局のところ徒労に終わった。

I tried probing for his true intentions, but in the end, it ended in vain effort.

te-mita ga... torou ni owatta (tried, but ended in vain)

伝統的な手法を現代の技術と融合させてみるという試みは、高く評価されるべきだ。

The attempt to try fusing traditional methods with modern technology should be highly evaluated.

te-miru to iu kokoromi (the attempt called 'trying to do')

己の限界を極めてみようとするその姿勢こそが、彼を一流たらしめている。

That very attitude of attempting to try pushing his limits to the extreme is what makes him first-class.

te-miyou to suru (attempting to try) used in a highly literary context

万が一の事態を想定してみたところで、完璧な備えなどあり得ない。

Even if we try assuming the worst-case scenario, perfect preparation is impossible.

te-mita tokoro de (even if one tries) expressing futility

Häufige Kollokationen

食べてみる (try eating)

行ってみる (try going)

聞いてみる (try asking/listening)

使ってみる (try using)

着てみる (try wearing)

やってみる (try doing)

見てみる (try looking)

読んでみる (try reading)

考えてみる (try thinking)

調べてみる (try investigating)

Häufige Phrasen

一度行ってみてください (Please try going there once)

食べてみたいです (I want to try eating it)

どうなるかやってみよう (Let's try doing it and see what happens)

試しにやってみる (Try doing it as a test)

聞いてみないとわからない (You won't know unless you try asking)

着てみてもいいですか (May I try it on?)

自分でやってみる (Try doing it by oneself)

とりあえずやってみる (Try doing it for now/anyway)

もう一度考えてみる (Try thinking about it one more time)

少し休んでみる (Try resting a little)

Wird oft verwechselt mit

〜てみる vs 〜ようとする (you to suru - to make an effort to do)

〜てみる vs 〜ておく (te-oku - to do in advance)

〜てみる vs 〜てみせる (te-miseru - to do and show determination)

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"当たって砕けろ (Atatte kudakero - Go for broke/Try it even if you fail)"

"だめもとでやってみる (Damemoto de yatte miru - Try doing it knowing it might fail)"

"案ずるより産むが易し (Anzuru yori umu ga yasushi - Attempting is easier than worrying)"

"百聞は一見に如かず (Hyakubun wa ikken ni shikazu - Seeing once is better than hearing 100 times)"

"物は試し (Mono wa tameshi - There's no harm in trying)"

"とりあえずやってみる (Toriaezu yatte miru - Just try it for the time being)"

"食わず嫌い (Kuwazugirai - Disliking something without trying it)"

"見よう見まねでやってみる (Miyou mimane de yatte miru - Try doing it by watching and imitating)"

"手を出してみる (Te o dashite miru - Try dabbling in something)"

"首を突っ込んでみる (Kubi o tsukkonde miru - Try poking one's nose into something)"

Leicht verwechselbar

〜てみる vs

Satzmuster

Wortfamilie

Verwandt

見せる (miseru - to show)

見える (mieru - to be visible)

見方 (mikata - viewpoint)

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So verwendest du es

volition

Can only be used with verbs that involve conscious choice or volition.

transitivity

Does not change the transitivity or the particles required by the main verb.

Häufige Fehler

Using it for difficult struggles instead of 〜ようとする.
Writing it in kanji (〜て見る) instead of hiragana.
Changing the object particle to match 'miru' instead of the main verb.
Using it with non-volitional verbs (like 'raining').
Forgetting to conjugate the main verb into the te-form first.

Tipps

Master the Te-form

The absolute prerequisite for using this grammar point is knowing your te-form conjugations flawlessly. Practice converting Group 1, 2, and 3 verbs until it becomes automatic. Without the te-form, you cannot build this structure.

The 'Test' Trick

Whenever you want to translate the English word 'try' into Japanese, mentally replace it with 'test'. If the sentence still makes sense (e.g., 'I will test the sushi'), use 〜てみる. If it sounds weird (e.g., 'I will test to lift the box'), use a different grammar point.

Stick to Hiragana

Train yourself to write みる in hiragana when it follows a te-form. While your keyboard might suggest the kanji 見る, selecting the hiragana option shows a higher level of grammatical understanding and looks much more natural to native readers.

Drop the Kudasai

When speaking with close friends or family, you don't need to be overly formal. Instead of saying '食べてみてください', just say '食べてみて！' with an upbeat intonation. It sounds friendly, natural, and encouraging.

Combine with Tai

The combination 〜てみたい (want to try doing) is incredibly useful for expressing your goals and dreams. Make a list of things you want to do in Japan and practice writing them using this specific form.

Listen for the Soft Suggestion

In Japanese culture, direct commands are rare. If someone wants you to do something, they will often use 〜てみたら？ (How about trying...?). Recognize this as a polite suggestion rather than just a casual question.

Particles Don't Change

Don't let the 'miru' confuse your particles. If the original verb takes 'ni' (like 会う - to meet), keep the 'ni' (彼に会ってみる - try meeting him). The main verb is the boss of the particles.

Shopping Essential

Memorize the phrase '着てみてもいいですか' (May I try this on?). It is the single most useful phrase you can know when shopping for clothes in Japan. Just change 'kite' to 'haite' for shoes!

Avoid with Uncontrollable Verbs

Remember that you can only 'try' things you have control over. Don't use 〜てみる with verbs like わかる (to understand) or できる (to be able to). You can't 'try to understand' using this grammar; you either do or you don't.

Daily Narration

Practice this grammar by narrating your daily life. When you open a new snack, think '食べてみる'. When you download a new app, think '使ってみる'. Tying the grammar to physical actions helps cement it in your memory.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine doing an action and then putting your hand over your eyes to 'see' (miru) what happens next.

Visuelle Assoziation

A person taking a bite of a strange fruit and then looking in a mirror to see their own reaction.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the physical act of 'seeing' (見る).

Kultureller Kontext

Highly polite when used as a request (〜てみてください).

A key tool for speaking indirectly and softly.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"日本で何をしてみたいですか。(What do you want to try doing in Japan?)"

"今まで食べたことのない料理を食べてみたことがありますか。(Have you ever tried eating a dish you've never had before?)"

"新しい趣味を始めてみたいと思いますか。(Do you think you want to try starting a new hobby?)"

"週末、どこか新しい場所へ行ってみませんか。(Would you like to try going somewhere new this weekend?)"

"このアプリ、便利そうだから使ってみたらどう？(This app looks useful, how about you try using it?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Write about a new food you want to try eating and why.

Describe a place you tried visiting recently and what it was like.

List three things you want to try doing before the end of the year.

Write about a time you tried doing something and failed, but learned from it.

If you could try living in any country, where would it be and why?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It is highly recommended to write it in hiragana. In Japanese grammar, when a verb is used as an auxiliary (subsidiary verb) to add grammatical function rather than its literal meaning, it is standard practice to write it in hiragana. Writing it in kanji is not strictly 'wrong' but is considered poor style and can confuse the reader.

〜てみる means to test something out of curiosity, like trying a new food to see if it tastes good. 〜ようとする means to make a strenuous effort to achieve a goal, like trying to lift a heavy box. If you can replace 'try' with 'test', use 〜てみる. If you can replace it with 'struggle to', use 〜ようとする.

No, you can only use it with volitional verbs—actions that you can consciously choose to do. You cannot use it with verbs that describe spontaneous states or things outside of human control, such as 'to rain' (降る) or 'to drop accidentally' (落ちる).

You combine the 〜てみる structure with the desire suffix 〜たい (tai). First, change the main verb to the te-form, add 'mi', and then add 'tai'. For example, 'to eat' is 食べる (taberu). The te-form is 食べて (tabete). Add 'mitai' to get 食べてみたい (tabete mitai - I want to try eating).

Yes, it is a very polite and soft way to make a request or suggestion. It translates to 'please try doing'. It is much softer than simply using the te-form + kudasai, because it frames the action as a low-pressure trial rather than a direct command.

Yes, you can conjugate 'miru' into the negative form 'minai' (〜てみない). This can mean 'will not try doing'. It is also frequently used in negative questions to make invitations, such as 〜てみませんか (won't you try doing?), which is a very polite way to suggest an activity.

The particles remain exactly the same as they would for the main verb. The auxiliary 'miru' does not affect the particles. For example, 'to ask the teacher' is 先生に聞く (sensei ni kiku). If you add 〜てみる, it remains 先生に聞いてみる (sensei ni kiite miru). Do not change 'ni' to 'o'.

Generally, no. 〜てみる implies a sense of novelty, curiosity, or testing the unknown. If you eat breakfast every day, you wouldn't say 'I will try eating breakfast' unless you are trying a completely new type of breakfast food for the first time.

You conjugate 'miru' into the past tense 'mita' and add a conjunction like 'ga' or 'kedo'. For example, やってみたが、できなかった (yatte mita ga, dekinakatta) means 'I tried doing it, but I couldn't do it'.

They are similar in meaning ('to test/try'), but 'tamesu' (試す) is a standalone verb, whereas 〜てみる is a grammatical structure attached to other verbs. You can actually combine them: 試してみる (tameshite miru) means 'to try testing it', which is a very common and emphatic way to say 'give it a try'.

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