てみるTry doing
てみる means to try an action in order to discover what it is like or what result it produces. It often corresponds to “give it a try” or “see what happens.”
An exploratory action
The first verb names the action being tested. The ending みる presents that action as a trial: you do it to learn the result, have the experience, or decide whether it works for you. In teaching materials, this helper use is normally written in hiragana, although kanji spelling can occur in real texts.
Common forms
このスープ、少し飲んでみる。
I'll try a little of this soup.
Analyze新しい翻訳アプリを使ってみました。
I tried using a new translation app.
Analyze別の道を歩いてみよう。
Let's try taking a different route.
Analyzeこの帽子、一度かぶってみませんか。
Would you like to try this hat on?
Analyze怖くて、結局その洞窟には入ってみなかった。
I was scared, so in the end I didn't try going into the cave.
AnalyzeTrying, prior experience, and doing again
てみる focuses on intentionally trying an action to learn its result. たことがある simply reports that something has happened in one's past experience. A verb followed by 直す means doing it again to correct or improve it, whereas a trial need not follow an earlier failure.
More examples
この料理にレモンをかけてみる。
I'll try adding lemon to this dish.
Analyzeサイズが合うか、この靴を履いてみます。
I'll try these shoes on to see whether they fit.
Analyzeさっき電話してみたが、誰も出なかった。
I tried calling a little while ago, but nobody answered.
Analyze分からなければ、店員に聞いてみてください。
If you don't know, try asking a staff member.
Analyze次は窓を開けてみよう。
Next, let's try opening the window.
Analyzeこの本、読んでみない？
Would you like to give this book a try?
Analyze忙しくて、新しい機能はまだ使ってみていません。
I've been busy, so I haven't tried the new feature yet.
Analyze音が小さいので、スピーカーの位置を変えてみました。
The sound was quiet, so I tried changing the speaker's position.
Analyze