～てみる

The suffix ～てみる is formed from the te-form of a verb followed by the verb 見る (miru), meaning 'to see' or 'to look'. In this construction, 見る takes on a figurative meaning of 'to try' or 'to attempt'. The grammatical construction of combining the te-form of a verb with another verb to add nuance or a secondary meaning is a common feature in Japanese. For instance, similar constructions include ～てしまう (teshimau, 'to do completely/regrettably') and ～ておく (teoku, 'to do in advance'). The specific usage of 見る to imply 'trying' likely stems from the idea of 'seeing how something goes' or 'observing the outcome of an action as an experiment'. It suggests an experimental or tentative approach to an action. Historically, the te-form (連用形 + て) itself evolved from a conjunctive particle and verb endings, becoming a versatile grammatical tool. The verb 見る has a long history in Japanese, appearing in the earliest literary works with its primary meaning of 'to see'. Over time, its semantic range expanded to include more abstract concepts, such as 'to try' in specific grammatical contexts like ～てみる. While a precise single origin point for the 'trying' meaning of 見る in this construction is difficult to pinpoint, it aligns with a broader linguistic trend where verbs of perception or action can develop extended, metaphorical meanings when combined with other verbs. The construction emphasizes the act of attempting something, often with an implication of discovering the result or gaining experience from the action.