〜てみる (te miru)

JLPT N4

How to say you'll try doing something to see what happens.

Meaning

“Try ~ / do ~ and see.” Attempt an action to find out the result.

Formation

• Verb (て-form) + みる

Examples

この料理を食べてみます。

Kono ryōri o tabete mimasu. — I'll try eating this dish.

一度、着物を着てみたい。

Ichido, kimono o kite mitai. — I want to try wearing a kimono once.

新しいカフェに行ってみた。

Atarashii kafe ni itte mita. — I tried going to the new café.

自分で作ってみてください。

Jibun de tsukutte mite kudasai. — Please try making it yourself.

How it works

みる here comes from 見る (“to see”), so it literally means “do and see.” It often combines with 〜たい (〜てみたい, “want to try”).

Compared with similar expressions

• 〜てみる — try doing (and see the result).

• 〜てしまう — do completely / by accident.

• 〜ておく — do in advance / in preparation.

Common mistakes

• Use the て-form: 食べる → 食べてみる

• みる here is written in kana, not 見る.

Related grammar

• 〜ておく — do in advance

• 〜てしまう — completely

• 〜たい — want to