やってみました
yattemimashita
The English phrase "I tried" is expressed in Japanese as やってみました (yattemimashita).
This phrase is used to indicate that you made an attempt to do something, specifically implying that you performed an action to see what the outcome or feeling would be.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the te-form of the verb やる (to do), the auxiliary verb みる (to see/try) and the polite past tense ました. Literally, it means "tried doing (and saw what happened)".
Which one should you use?
While やってみました is the standard polite form, やってみた is the informal version used to say "I tried doing (something)". If you want to express that you put in significant effort, such as "I did my best" or "I tried hard", you should use 頑張りました (formal) or 頑張った (informal) instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the idea of "I tried [verb]" in Japanese, you can use the pattern 〜てみました by attaching it to the te-form of the verb you wish to describe.
How do you pronounce it?
yattemimashita
Did you know?
- While やってみました means 'I tried', using it in a professional apology can sound like you were treating a serious task as an experiment, which may seem irresponsible to a boss.
- The informal version やってみた is the basis for a massive internet trend of challenge and experiment videos in Japan.
- Japanese distinguishes between やってみました for experimental trying and やろうとしました for attempts that were interrupted or failed.
Examples in context
- 全力で取り組みました。I tried my best.
- 結果は出ませんでしたが、頑張りました。I didn't get results, but I tried my best.
- そのレシピをやってみたけど難しかった。I tried making that recipe, but it was difficult.
- 昨日の試験、頑張ったよ！I tried hard on yesterday's exam!
- このゲームをやってみました。Kono geemu o yatte mimashita.I tried playing this game.
- 一度、独学でやってみました。Ichido, dokugaku de yatte mimashita.I tried doing it by myself once.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are talking about a difficult puzzle.
- 健太 Kentaこのパズル、難しいね。Kono pazuru, muzukashii ne.This puzzle is difficult, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yuiうん。私もやってみました。Un. Watashi mo yatte mimashita.Yeah. I tried it too.
- 健太 Kenta解けたかな？Toketa kana?I wonder if you solved it?
- 結衣 Yuiいいえ、ダメでした。Iie, dame deshita.No, it didn't work.
