食べてみたい
tabetemittai
The phrase "I want to try it" in Japanese is expressed as 食べてみたい (tabetemittai).
This phrase is used specifically when you wish to taste or eat a particular food for the first time.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 食べてみたい is a combination of the te-form of the verb taberu (to eat), the auxiliary verb miru (to try or to see) and the desiderative suffix tai (want to). Literally, it means "want to try eating (it)".
Which one should you use?
While 食べてみたい focuses on eating, you can use 飲んでみたい to express the desire to try a drink. For very casual situations with friends, you might use したいな to say "I want to."
How do you pronounce it?
tabetemittai
Did you know?
- While 食べてみたい expresses a desire, Japanese speakers often avoid using tai when talking about someone else's wishes. Instead, they use たがる (tagaru) to describe an observable desire to try a food.
- The word taberu is often replaced by itadaku in polite settings. Saying いただいてみたい expresses the same desire but adds a layer of humility and gratitude toward the provider of the food.
- The suffix tai used in tabetemitai is actually an adjective-forming suffix, which means the entire phrase grammatically functions more like an adjective than a standard verb in a sentence.
Examples in context
- 山田さんの新しいレシピを試してみたいと思います。I think I want to try Yamada-san's new recipe.
- この花火大会に参加してみたいと考えております。I have been thinking about trying to participate in this fireworks event.
- このゲームをやってみたいな。I want to try playing this game.
- この新しいケーキ、食べてみたい。Kono atarashii keeki, tabete mitai.I want to try eating this new cake.
- あのお店の料理、食べてみたいです。Ano omise no ryouri, tabete mitai desu.I want to try the food at that restaurant.
- 見たことない果物だけど、食べてみたい！Mita koto nai kudamono dakedo, tabete mitai!It's a fruit I've never seen, but I want to try it!
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are looking at a menu at a restaurant.
- 健太 Kentaこの料理、見たことがないね。Kono ryōri, mita koto ga nai ne.I've never seen this dish before.
- 結衣 Yuiおいしそう！食べてみたい。Oishisō! Tabete mitai.It looks delicious! I want to try it.
- 健太 Kentaじゃあ、これを注文しようか。Jaa, kore o chūmon shiyō ka.Then, shall we order this?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、お願いね。Un, onegai ne.Yes, please.
