試みる

The Japanese verb 試みる (kokoromiru) is a sophisticated and formal term that translates to 'to try' or 'to attempt.' While English speakers might use the word 'try' for everything from tasting a new ice cream flavor to attempting a moon landing, Japanese distinguishes these actions through register and nuance. Kokoromiru is firmly rooted in the realm of intentional, often difficult, and formal endeavors. It is not the kind of word you would use while chatting with friends about trying a new video game; rather, it is the word a scientist uses when attempting a groundbreaking experiment or a diplomat uses when attempting to negotiate a peace treaty. It suggests a level of gravity and premeditation that simpler verbs like tamesu or the ~te miru construction lack.

Etymological Nuance

The kanji 試 consists of the 'speech' radical (言) and 'style/ceremony' (式). This implies a structured or formal way of putting something to the test. When you kokoromiru, you are not just 'giving it a go'—you are applying a specific method or effort to see if a desired outcome can be achieved.

Register and Context

This verb is predominantly found in written Japanese, such as news reports, academic journals, and literature. In spoken Japanese, it appears in formal speeches, business presentations, or when someone is speaking very deliberately about an important challenge. If you use this in a casual setting, you might sound overly stiff or even dramatic, as if you are treating a small task like a major historical event.

Understanding the difference between 試みる (kokoromiru) and 試す (tamesu) is vital for B1 learners. Tamesu is more about testing the quality or efficacy of something that already exists—like testing a car's brakes or testing your skills in a quiz. Kokoromiru, however, is about the act of trying to make something happen, often where the outcome is uncertain or the task is arduous. It focuses on the 'attempt' itself rather than just the 'test'.

Common Grammatical Patterns

It is almost always used with the particle 'o' (を). Common objects include 'kaiketsu' (解決 - solution), 'dasshutsu' (脱出 - escape), or 'settosoku' (説得 - persuasion). It can also follow a verb in its stem form combined with 'o', though this is rarer than the noun + 'o' construction.

In summary, kokoromiru is a powerful verb for describing high-stakes actions, intellectual pursuits, or formal efforts. By mastering this word, you move beyond the 'survival Japanese' of basic needs and start to express complex human intentions and professional endeavors with the precision expected at an intermediate to advanced level.

Using 試みる (kokoromiru) correctly requires an understanding of its syntactic environment. As an Ichidan (Group 2) verb, its conjugation is straightforward, but its placement in a sentence is governed by the formality of the situation. It typically follows the structure: [Noun/Action] + を + 試みる. This noun is usually a suru-noun or a complex concept representing a goal or an action that requires effort.

Grammatical Structure

The verb is transitive, meaning it always takes a direct object. Unlike the auxiliary verb ~te miru (which is attached to the te-form of another verb), kokoromiru stands alone as the main predicate. For example, 'I tried to talk' would be hanasō to shita in casual speech, but setoku o kokoromita (attempted persuasion) in a formal report.

When using the progressive form ~te iru, kokoromiru describes an ongoing effort or a repeated series of attempts. This is common in scientific contexts where researchers are constantly 'attempting' to find a solution. It emphasizes the persistence of the attempt.

Negative Form Usage

The negative form kokorominai is less common but used to indicate a lack of effort or a refusal to even try. 'He didn't even attempt to apologize' would be ayamari o kokorominakatta. This carries a stronger tone of criticism than shinakatta (didn't do).

In business Japanese, you might see the passive form kokoromirareru. For example, 'A new approach is being attempted' (atarashii apurōchi ga kokoromirarete iru). This shifts the focus from the person doing the trying to the action itself, which is a hallmark of formal Japanese writing style.

Finally, notice that kokoromiru often pairs with particles like ga (but) or keredomo (however), because the word 'attempt' inherently suggests that the success of the action is the focus of the narrative, often leading to a discussion of the result—whether successful or not.

If you are watching the evening news (NHK) or reading a Japanese newspaper like the Asahi Shimbun, you will encounter 試みる (kokoromiru) frequently. It is the 'professional' way to say someone is trying to do something. In these contexts, it adds a layer of objectivity and seriousness. Broadcasters use it when reporting on government policies, criminal investigations, or space exploration.

News and Media

In news headlines, space is limited, but kokoromiru is often chosen over shiyō to suru because it is a single, powerful verb. You might hear: 'The company attempted to conceal the data' (Kigyō wa dēta no inpei o kokoromita). This sounds more accusatory and formal than using casual verbs.

Academic and Scientific Writing

This is perhaps the most common home for the word. Research papers are filled with 'attempts' to prove hypotheses. Scientists don't just 'try' things; they kokoromiru experiments. It implies a systematic approach. For example, 'We attempted to synthesize a new compound' (Shinki kagōbutsu no gōsei o kokoromita).

In literature and high-end cinema, kokoromiru is used to describe the internal struggles or grand ambitions of characters. A protagonist might 'attempt to change their fate' (unmei o kaeru koto o kokoromiru). Here, the word provides a poetic or epic weight that yatte miru simply cannot provide.

Business Presentations

When a CEO announces a new strategy, they might say, 'We are attempting a major restructuring' (daikibo na risutora o kokoromite imasu). This sounds professional and indicates that the process is deliberate and being carefully managed.

Essentially, if the situation involves a 'project,' a 'mission,' or a 'study,' kokoromiru is the appropriate choice. It signals that the speaker is operating in a professional or intellectual capacity. Conversely, hearing it in a bar or a casual kitchen setting would likely be perceived as a joke or a very dramatic way of speaking.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 試みる (kokoromiru) is using it in contexts that are too casual or involve trivial actions. Because English uses 'try' for almost everything, it is tempting to use kokoromiru whenever you want to say 'try'. However, this can lead to very strange-sounding Japanese.

Mistake 1: Casual Activities

Saying 'Atarashii rēmen o kokoromiru' (I will attempt the new cold noodles) sounds like you are embarking on a dangerous quest to eat noodles. Instead, use 'tabete miru'. Kokoromiru requires a goal that has some weight or significance.

Mistake 2: Confusing with 試す (Tamesu)

Learners often use kokoromiru when they mean 'to test out a tool'. If you want to see if a new pen writes well, you tamesu the pen. You don't kokoromiru the pen. Kokoromiru is for the attempt of an action, not the testing of an object's function.

Another mistake is grammatical: trying to use kokoromiru as an auxiliary verb. In English, we say 'try to [verb]'. In Japanese, you cannot say 'yomu o kokoromiru'. You must either use a noun form (dokuha o kokoromiru - attempt to read through) or use the ~ō to suru construction for 'trying to do something'.

Mistake 3: Overusing in Speech

Using kokoromiru in everyday conversation with friends makes you sound like a textbook or a samurai. It creates a social distance. Use yatte miru or tameshite miru to keep the conversation natural and friendly.

Finally, be careful with the kanji. While kokoromiru and tamesu share the same kanji (試), they are read differently and used in different contexts. Always check the furigana or the surrounding words to ensure you are using the correct reading and meaning.

To avoid these mistakes, always ask yourself: 'Is this a formal attempt at a significant goal?' If the answer is no, kokoromiru is likely not the word you are looking for.

Japanese has many ways to express the idea of 'trying.' Choosing the right one depends on the nuance you want to convey. 試みる (kokoromiru) is just one piece of the puzzle. Let's compare it with its closest relatives.

試みる (Kokoromiru) vs. 試す (Tamesu)

試みる: Focuses on the act of attempting a difficult or formal task. (e.g., attempting a reform).

試す: Focuses on testing or checking something to see its quality or result. (e.g., testing a new recipe, testing one's strength).

試みる (Kokoromiru) vs. やってみる (Yatte miru)

試みる: Formal, written style, serious tone.

やってみる: Casual, spoken style, 'give it a go' tone. This is the most common way to say 'try' in daily life.

Other alternatives include 挑戦する (chōsen suru), which means 'to challenge' or 'to take on a challenge.' This is used when the attempt involves overcoming a hurdle or competing. There is also 企てる (kudateru), which means 'to plot' or 'to plan an attempt,' often with a slightly negative or secretive nuance (like plotting a crime, though it can be neutral in literary contexts).

〜ようとする (~ō to suru)

This is a grammatical construction rather than a single verb. It means 'to be about to' or 'to try to.' It is much more common than kokoromiru for expressing the immediate attempt of a specific action. 'I tried to open the door' is doa o ake-yō to shita.

In summary, choose kokoromiru when you want to sound professional, academic, or when the 'attempt' itself is the primary subject of your sentence. It is a word of intent and formal effort.