Translation guide
How to express doing something on a trial basis, experimentally, or to see what happens.
The speaker performs an action temporarily or experimentally to see the result.
Attach to the te-form of a verb. This is the most common way to say 'try doing something and see'.
I'll try eating it (to see if I like it).
The action itself is a test or experiment, often to gather data or prove a point.
Directly means 'as a test'. Natural in both casual and formal contexts.
The speaker does something out of curiosity, without a serious plan.
Same pattern as above, but the nuance is 'just to see' rather than a formal test.
It looks interesting, so let's try it (and see).
〜てみる means 'try doing something (and see the result)'. To express 'attempt to do something (effort)', use 〜ようとする or 〜てみる is not appropriate. For example, 'I tried to open the door (but it was locked)' is ドアを開けようとした, not ドアを開けてみた.
I tried to open the door, but it was locked.
Please try pressing this button.
An adverb meaning 'as a test' or 'on a trial basis'. Often used with 〜てみる.
I tried doing it the new way as a test.
Means 'on an experimental basis' or 'as a trial'. More formal than 試しに.
We will introduce this system on a trial basis.
I used it just once as a test.
Means 'as an experiment'. Suitable for scientific or systematic trials.
We administered this drug as an experiment.
Used in a clause meaning 'to see how it is/feels'. Often combined with 〜てみる.
I tried it to see what it's like.