JLPT N4 Grammar
· Elementary
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· Elementary
to try doing something
Category: State & Preparation
The grammar pattern "V-て + みる" is used to express the idea of attempting an action to see what the result or experience will be like. It's often used when doing something for the first time. This pattern implies a sense of curiosity or uncertainty about the outcome, and it's commonly used in situations where someone is trying something new or unfamiliar. For example, if you're trying a new food for the first time, you might say "この料理はとてもおいしそうですね。一度食べてみてください" (Let's try eating this dish and see how it tastes!).
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Te-form of the verb | V-てみる | 食べてみる |
| Te-form of the verb with a negative prefix | V-てみない | 食べないでみる |
| Te-form of the verb with a polite prefix | V-てみます | 食べてみます |
この料理はとてもおいしそうですね。一度食べてみてください。
Kono ryōri wa totemo oishishou desu ne. Ichido tabete mite kudasai.
This dish looks really delicious. Let's try eating it and see how it tastes!
この料理はとてもおいしそうですね (This dish looks really delicious) / 一度 (for the first time) / 食べて (try eating) / みて (see how it tastes) / ください (please)
新しい靴をはいてみたら、少し小さかったです。
Atarashii kutsu o haitte mitta ra, sukoshi chīsai katta desu.
When I tried on the new shoes, they were a bit too small.
新しい靴をはいて (try on the new shoes) / みたら (when) / 少し小さかった (were a bit too small)
分からないことがあったら、先生に聞いてみてください。
Wakaranai koto ga attara, sensei ni kiete mite kudasai.
If you don't understand something, please ask the teacher and see what they say.
分からないことがあったら (if you don't understand something) / 先生に聞いて (ask the teacher) / みて (see what they say) / ください (please)
This pattern is commonly used in informal situations, such as with friends or family. It's also used in situations where someone is trying something new or unfamiliar. In formal situations, it's more common to use the polite form "V-てみます". This pattern can be confused with the literal 'look at' (miru) or the 'you to suru' (trying to/about to do) pattern, but the key difference is the use of the te-form of the verb.
The te-form of the verb is used to indicate the action of trying or attempting, whereas the dictionary form is used for the literal meaning of 'look at'.
The literal 'look at' pattern uses the dictionary form of the verb, whereas the 'try doing' pattern uses the te-form.
The polite form is more common in formal situations, whereas the informal form is more common in informal situations.
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the te-form of the verb and the correct conjugation for the subject. Also, be careful not to confuse this pattern with the literal 'look at' or 'you to suru' patterns.
この料理はとてもおいしそうですね。一度食べて______です。
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