てみる means try doing. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to express this idea in natural Japanese.
This English meaning is written independently from the source list so it answers the learner question directly: what does てみる mean and when should you use it?
What does てみる mean?
Use てみる when you want to express try doing in a Japanese sentence.
Natural translations include:
- try doing
- to express “try doing” naturally
- the closest natural English meaning in context
How to form てみる
Verb て-form + みる
Examples of the pattern:
- Verb て-form + みる
- てみる
- related form: ようとする
When is てみる used?
Use てみる in situations like:
- reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences
- making a sentence more precise than a basic N5 pattern
- recognizing natural grammar in conversation or short passages
Tone and register:
- usually neutral unless the pattern itself is casual, humble, honorific, or written
- common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday examples
てみる example sentences
- この料理を食べてみます。 — I will try eating this dish.
- 新しいアプリを使ってみました。 — I tried using the new app.
- 先生に聞いてみてください。 — Please try asking the teacher.
- 一度日本語で話してみたいです。 — I want to try speaking in Japanese once.
- この問題を自分で解いてみます。 — I will try solving this problem myself.
Nuance of てみる
The key nuance is try doing in context, not a word-for-word English replacement.
This matters because てみる often changes the relationship between actions, people, time, or evidence in the sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.
てみる vs ようとする
Both patterns can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.
てみる:
- is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson
- focuses on try doing
ようとする:
- is useful for comparison because learners often confuse nearby forms
- may change the tone, evidence, direction, or relationship in the sentence
Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: この料理を食べてみます。 — I will try eating this dish.
- Related pattern with ようとする: compare what changes in evidence, timing, direction, or politeness.
Common mistakes with てみる
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context
- Using the wrong verb, adjective, or noun form
- Confusing てみる with ようとする because the English can sound similar
Is てみる on the JLPT?
Yes. てみる is connected to JLPT N4 grammar in this blog.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
Practice questions for てみる
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write one short sentence using the basic structure.
- Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point.
- Compare your sentence with the related pattern above.
Learn てみる with Kanjiru
If you want to review てみる together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N4 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here: