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
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
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.
Common mistakes with てみる
Is てみる on the JLPT?
Yes. てみる is connected to JLPT N4 grammar in this blog.
- Recognize it in reading
- Understand its nuance in context
- Use it in simple original sentences
Practice questions for てみる
Learning path for てみる
Related grammar to review next
- てくる — compares another て-form auxiliary that changes action flow or completion.
- ておく — compares another て-form auxiliary that changes action flow or completion.
- てしまう — compares another て-form auxiliary that changes action flow or completion.
- てしまう / ちゃう — compares another て-form auxiliary that changes action flow or completion.
Learn てみる with Hane
If you want to review てみる together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here:
FAQ about てみる
What does てみる mean in Japanese?
てみる means “try doing” in Japanese. It is an N4 grammar point, and this lesson explains its formation, nuance, example sentences, common mistakes, and similar grammar.
Is てみる on the JLPT?
てみる is taught as N4 Japanese grammar in Hane's grammar lesson archive. Review it with examples, usage notes, and related N4 patterns.
How should I practice てみる?
Read several example sentences, identify the form before and after てみる, then make your own short sentences and compare it with nearby grammar points.