In 15 Seconds
- Use it to say you will give something a shot.
- Works in both casual and professional settings perfectly.
- Always include the 'es' to sound like a native.
Meaning
This phrase is your go-to way to say 'I'll give it a shot' or 'I'll try it.' It is the perfect, low-pressure way to express that you are willing to attempt something new or difficult.
Key Examples
3 of 6Trying a spicy dish at a restaurant
Das sieht scharf aus, aber ich versuche es.
That looks spicy, but I'll try it.
Being asked to finish a task at work
Ich versuche es bis morgen zu schaffen.
I will try to get it done by tomorrow.
Texting a friend about coming to a party
Ich versuch's! Bis später.
I'll try! See you later.
Cultural Background
The phrase 'Versuch macht klug' (Trying makes you wise) is a common German proverb, similar to 'Trial and error'. It shows a cultural respect for learning through doing. In Austria, you might hear 'Schau' ma mal' (Let's see) as a more relaxed alternative to 'Ich versuche es', reflecting a slightly more laid-back cultural attitude. Swiss German speakers might use 'probieren' more broadly than High German speakers, sometimes even where 'versuchen' would be strictly required in the north. In a German office, saying 'Ich versuche es' is often taken as a serious commitment. If you don't intend to try, it's better to explain why.
The 'Es' Rule
Always include 'es'. If you feel like the sentence is too short, add 'mal' (Ich versuch's mal) to sound more native.
Food Faux Pas
Never use 'versuchen' at a dinner table unless you are trying to fix the table itself!
In 15 Seconds
- Use it to say you will give something a shot.
- Works in both casual and professional settings perfectly.
- Always include the 'es' to sound like a native.
What It Means
Es versuchen is the bread and butter of German effort. It is simple, direct, and very common. The word es acts as a placeholder for the task at hand. When you say you will es versuchen, you are promising an attempt. You aren't necessarily promising success. It is the verbal equivalent of a shrug and a determined smile.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is quite easy because it follows standard verb patterns. You usually place the person doing the trying at the start. For example, Ich versuche es means 'I am trying it.' If you want to sound more natural, you can combine them into Ich versuch's. It works with almost any activity. You can try a new food, a new hobby, or a difficult math problem. Just remember to keep the es in there. Without the es, the sentence feels like a table missing a leg.
When To Use It
Use this in any situation where there is a challenge. At a restaurant, use it when a friend offers you a bite of something weird. In a meeting, use it when your boss asks if you can finish a report by Friday. It is great for texting too. If a friend asks if you can make it to their party, Ich versuche es is a polite way to say 'I'll do my best to be there.' It shows goodwill without a 100% commitment.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this if the situation requires absolute certainty. If you are getting married, do not say Ich versuche es when asked if you take your spouse. That might lead to a very short marriage. Also, do not use it if you have already succeeded. It is strictly for the 'effort' phase. If you are already an expert, saying you are 'trying' might sound like false modesty or even a bit sarcastic.
Cultural Background
Germans value 'Fleiß' (diligence) and 'Versuch' (attempt). There is a famous saying: Probieren geht über Studieren (trying is better than studying). This phrase captures that spirit. It reflects a culture that respects the process of learning through doing. It is not about being perfect immediately. It is about the courage to start. Even the greatest German engineers had to es versuchen many times before they succeeded.
Common Variations
If you want to sound a bit more casual, you can use mal. For example, Ich versuche es mal. This adds a 'just' or 'for a bit' vibe to the sentence. Another common variation is Ich werde es versuchen for the future tense. If you want to sound very determined, you can say Ich werde es auf jeden Fall versuchen. This tells people you are really going to give it your all. It turns a simple try into a mission.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral phrase suitable for almost any context. In very formal writing, avoid the contraction `versuch's` and use the full `versuchen Sie es`.
The 'Es' Rule
Always include 'es'. If you feel like the sentence is too short, add 'mal' (Ich versuch's mal) to sound more native.
Food Faux Pas
Never use 'versuchen' at a dinner table unless you are trying to fix the table itself!
Honesty over Hype
In Germany, saying 'Ich versuche es' is more respected than saying 'Kein Problem' if the task is actually hard.
Modal Verbs
Pair it with 'können' or 'wollen' to express different levels of commitment.
Examples
6Das sieht scharf aus, aber ich versuche es.
That looks spicy, but I'll try it.
Shows willingness to experiment with food.
Ich versuche es bis morgen zu schaffen.
I will try to get it done by tomorrow.
Professional but manages expectations.
Ich versuch's! Bis später.
I'll try! See you later.
Uses the common contraction 'versuch's'.
Ich habe keine Ahnung, aber ich versuche es mal.
I have no idea, but I'll give it a try.
The 'mal' makes it sound more relaxed.
Komm schon, versuch es einfach!
Come on, just try it!
Encouraging someone else to make an effort.
Könnten Sie es bitte noch einmal versuchen?
Could you please try it one more time?
Polite request using 'Sie'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to say 'I'll try it'.
Ich _______ es.
The first person singular 'ich' requires the verb ending '-e'.
Which sentence is correct for tasting a cake?
A: Ich versuche den Kuchen. B: Ich probiere den Kuchen.
Always use 'probieren' for food and drink.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kannst du das Auto reparieren? B: Ich weiß nicht, aber ich ______ ______ ______.
'Werde es versuchen' is the future tense, expressing a future attempt.
Match the German phrase to its English meaning.
1. Ich versuche es. 2. Ich habe es versucht. 3. Ich will es versuchen.
These cover present, past, and modal usage.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Versuchen vs. Probieren
Versuchen
- • Tasks
- • Challenges
- • Goals
Probieren
- • Food
- • Drinks
- • Clothes
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch _______ es.
The first person singular 'ich' requires the verb ending '-e'.
A: Ich versuche den Kuchen. B: Ich probiere den Kuchen.
Always use 'probieren' for food and drink.
A: Kannst du das Auto reparieren? B: Ich weiß nicht, aber ich ______ ______ ______.
'Werde es versuchen' is the future tense, expressing a future attempt.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These cover present, past, and modal usage.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically no. It sounds like you stopped talking mid-sentence. Always add 'es' or a specific object.
'Versuchen' is for attempts/efforts. 'Probieren' is for testing/tasting.
It's informal/casual, but very common in everyday neutral speech. It's not 'slang' in a negative sense.
You can say 'Ich gebe mein Bestes', but 'Ich versuche es so gut ich kann' is also very common.
No, use 'anprobieren'.
Yes, 'Ich werde es versuchen' is perfectly fine for professional correspondence.
It means 'to dare an attempt', which is more formal and implies risk.
In this phrase, yes. It refers to the task or action you are attempting.
No, you cannot 'try a person' in this sense. You can 'it' with a person (e.g., 'Ich versuche es mit ihm' - I'm giving it a try with him/dating him).
The Perfekt is 'Ich habe es versucht'.
Related Phrases
ausprobieren
similarto try out (a gadget/method)
probieren
similarto taste/try on
wagen
builds onto dare
anstrengen
relatedto exert oneself
scheitern
contrastto fail
