Japanese grammar
What does ～てみる mean? Japanese grammar N4
～てみる means try doing ~ (to see what happens).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | V て + みます V て + みたいです V て + みてください |
| Romaji | ~ te miru |
| Meaning | try doing ~ (to see what happens) |
Forming it
| How to form | て form + みる: 食べる → 食べて → 食べてみる |
|---|---|
| Common patterns | ～てみたいです (want to try), ～てみてください (try ~ and see), ～てみます (I'll try) |
| Further conjugation | みる conjugates like a Group 2 verb: みます、みました、みたい、みて |
How to use it
Trying something to see how the result turns out.
- てみる comes from 見る (to look) — picture it as "do it and then see how the result turns out." So it always implies the speaker DOESN'T YET KNOW the result, doing it as an experiment.
- Important spelling rule: as an auxiliary verb, みる is written in HIRAGANA, not 見る. The whole group ～ておく、～てしまう also follows this rule.
- Combining with ～たい is very common: 「日本の温泉に入ってみたいです」(I'd like to try a Japanese hot spring). This way of speaking sounds modest and curious, more pleasant than the blunt 「入りたいです」.
- Use ～てみてください to invite gently: 「このお菓子、食べてみてください」(try this snack). It sounds much softer than 「食べてください」because there's no pressure.
- Don't use てみる for something you already know the result of for certain, or something that can't be "tried" — for example, you don't say 「死んでみる」.
Examples
この店のラーメンを食べてみます。
I will try eating the ramen at this restaurant.
いつか富士山に登ってみたいです。
Someday I want to try climbing Mt. Fuji.
難しかったら、先生に聞いてみてください。
If it is difficult, try asking the teacher.
Keep in mind
- てみる ≠ 見る. 「食べて、見ます」 (eat, then look) is a completely different sentence.
- The past ～てみました is usually followed by a result: 「食べてみましたが、おいしくなかったです」 (I tried it, but it wasn't tasty).
Common mistakes
-
Wrongこの料理を食べて見ます。
I'll try this dish and see.
Correctこの料理を食べてみます。
As an auxiliary verb, みる must be written in hiragana. Writing 見ます turns it into "eat and then look" — a completely different meaning. Learners often write the kanji because their computer suggests it automatically.
-
Wrong来週、予約した病院に行ってみます。
Next week I'll go to the hospital I booked.
Correct来週、予約した病院に行きます。
てみる implies experimenting, an uncertain result. Already having 予約した (booked in advance) means definitely going — contradicting the "try and see" nuance of てみる.
-
Wrongこの料理を食べて見ました。
I tried this dish.
Correctこの料理を食べてみました。
「てみる」is written in hiragana because it no longer carries the meaning "to look."
-
Wrong答えが分かってみる。
I'll try thinking about the answer.
Correct答えを考えてみる。
「てみる」only attaches to a verb with intent.
Exam tips
- Exams often pair ～てみたいです with sentences about wishes, travel, new experiences.