やってみて
yatte mite
In Japanese, 'try it' is expressed as やってみて (yatte mite).
This phrase is used as an encouraging suggestion to attempt a task or activity to see if one can do it.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of the te-form of the verb yaru (to do) and the auxiliary verb miru (to try/to see).
Which one should you use?
While やってみて is an encouraging suggestion to try something, the phrase yatte kudasai is a more direct command to perform an action.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form やってみて is casual and should be used with friends, family or people of lower social status. For a polite and respectful way to say 'try it', use 試してください.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding kudasai to the end makes the suggestion more polite and suitable for speaking to superiors or strangers, forming やってみてください.
How do you pronounce it?
yatte mite
Did you know?
- If a Japanese person says yatte miru about themselves, they are not just 'trying' but expressing a willingness to attempt something they might fail at.
- If you want to suggest someone 'try' a new food, you might use tabete mite instead of yatte mite, as yaru can sometimes sound slightly rough or crude depending on the context.
- The word yaru (to do) is a more casual and sometimes more forceful version of the standard verb suru, which is why yatte mite feels more spontaneous and informal.
Examples in context
- やってみて。Try it out.This sentence is useful for practicing the form やってみて.Tatoeba #3491557 by arnab, translation #2253794 by CK
- さぁ、やってみて。Here, try it.Tatoeba #12593290 by small_snow, translation #11803745 by ddnktr
- もう一度やってみて。Try it once again.Tatoeba #1034968 by bunbuku, translation #31497 by CK
- この新しいプロジェクトを試してください。Please try this new project.
- この新しいスポーツをやってみて！Try this new sport!
- やってみるよ！I'll try it!
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui is encouraging Yota to try a new video game.
- 結衣 Yuiこれ、すごく面白いよ。Kore, sugoku omoshiroi yo.This is really fun.
- 陽太 Yota難しそうだけど、大丈夫かな？Muzukashisou dakedo, daijoubu kana?It looks difficult, I wonder if I can do it?
- 結衣 Yui大丈夫、一度やってみて。Daijoubu, ichido yatte mite.It's okay, just try it once.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった、やってみるよ。Wakatta, yatte miru yo.Okay, I'll give it a try.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
