読んでみる
try reading
직역: read and see
Use it to sound natural and curious when checking out any kind of written material.
15초 만에
- To give a text a try without full commitment.
- Combines 'read' with the auxiliary verb for 'try'.
- Perfect for recommendations, browsing, or testing your skills.
뜻
It means to give a book or text a try to see if you like it or understand it. It's like saying 'I'll give it a read' without committing to finishing the whole thing.
주요 예문
3 / 6At a bookstore with a friend
この本、面白そうだから読んでみる。
This book looks interesting, so I'll try reading it.
A teacher recommends a news article
そのニュース、後で読んでみます。
I will try reading that news later.
Texting a friend about a manga link
リンク送ってくれてありがとう！読んでみるね。
Thanks for the link! I'll give it a read.
문화적 배경
The phrase utilizes the auxiliary verb '~te miru', which literally means 'to do and see'. It highlights the Japanese cultural preference for trial-based actions and non-committal language to maintain social harmony (wa). It's a staple of daily conversation used to soften intentions.
The 'See' Secret
The 'miru' in this phrase is written in hiragana, not the kanji 見る. When used as a helper verb for 'trying,' we usually stick to hiragana!
Don't Over-Try
If you use '~te miru' for everything, you might sound like you never finish anything. Use it for the start of an action, not the whole process.
15초 만에
- To give a text a try without full commitment.
- Combines 'read' with the auxiliary verb for 'try'.
- Perfect for recommendations, browsing, or testing your skills.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a cozy bookstore in Tokyo. You see a manga with a cool cover. You aren't sure if you'll like the story. You decide to give it a shot. That feeling of 'giving it a go' is 読んでみる. It combines 読む (to read) and みる (to see). Together, they mean 'read and see what happens.' It is a very low-pressure way to talk. You aren't promising to finish the whole book. You are just testing the waters. It is the linguistic equivalent of a free sample.
How To Use It
To use this phrase, you need the て form. Take the verb 読む (yomu). Change it to 読んで (yonde). Then just add みる (miru) at the end. It works like a helper verb. You can change the ending to fit the mood. Use 読んでみます (yonde mimasu) to be polite to a teacher. Use 読んでみた (yonde mita) when telling a friend you tried it. It is like adding 'give it a try' to your sentence. It is one of the most useful patterns in Japanese.
When To Use It
Use this when you are browsing. Maybe you are at a cafe with a magazine. Or you are looking at a long text from a friend. It is perfect for suggestions too. If a friend likes a book, say 読んでみるね (I'll try reading it). It shows you are open to their recommendation. Use it when looking at a menu in a new restaurant. It sounds much more natural than just saying 'I will read.' It adds a nice layer of curiosity to your speech.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you are already halfway through. If you are definitely going to finish it, just use 読む. Also, avoid it in very high-stakes situations. If your boss gives you a contract, don't say you'll 'try' reading it. That might sound like you aren't taking it seriously. It implies a bit of 'maybe I will, maybe I won't.' Stick to plain 読みます for serious duties. You don't want to sound like you're just 'testing' your work tasks.
Cultural Background
Japanese people love the 〜てみる construction. It reflects a humble and cautious culture. By saying 'try,' you avoid sounding too bold or certain. It leaves room for you to change your mind. In Japan, being flexible is a social virtue. This phrase lets you explore without making a big deal of it. It is the linguistic version of 'no strings attached.' It makes you sound more considerate and less demanding.
Common Variations
You will hear 読んでみて (yonde mite) a lot. This is a friendly way to say 'try reading this!' Your friends might say it when they lend you a book. Another one is 読んでみよう (yonde miyou). This means 'let's try reading it.' It is great for study groups. If you want to sound very casual, try 読んでみるわ (yonde miru wa). The variations are endless, but the 'try' feeling stays the same.
사용 참고사항
The phrase is highly versatile. Use hiragana for 'miru' when it follows the 'te' form. It can be made formal by changing 'miru' to 'mimasu' or casual by keeping it as 'miru'.
The 'See' Secret
The 'miru' in this phrase is written in hiragana, not the kanji 見る. When used as a helper verb for 'trying,' we usually stick to hiragana!
Don't Over-Try
If you use '~te miru' for everything, you might sound like you never finish anything. Use it for the start of an action, not the whole process.
Softening the Blow
If someone asks you to read their boring blog, saying 'yonde miru' is a polite way to say 'I'll look at it' without promising you'll love it.
예시
6この本、面白そうだから読んでみる。
This book looks interesting, so I'll try reading it.
A very common casual way to express interest in a book.
そのニュース、後で読んでみます。
I will try reading that news later.
Using the polite 'mimasu' form for a respectful context.
リンク送ってくれてありがとう！読んでみるね。
Thanks for the link! I'll give it a read.
The 'ne' at the end adds a friendly, conversational touch.
漢字が難しいけど、頑張って読んでみる！
The kanji are hard, but I'll try my best to read them!
Expresses a challenge or an attempt at something difficult.
何これ？宇宙語？一応読んでみるわ。
What is this? Space language? I'll try reading it for now.
The 'wa' and 'ichio' (for now) add a humorous, skeptical tone.
大切な手紙だから、ゆっくり読んでみます。
It's an important letter, so I'll try reading it slowly.
Shows care and intention in the action of 'trying' to read.
셀프 테스트
Complete the sentence to say 'I'll try reading the menu.'
メニューを___みる。
The '~te miru' grammar requires the 'te' form of the verb 'yomu', which is 'yonde'.
Make the phrase polite to use with your boss.
資料を読んで___。
'Mimasu' is the polite version of 'miru', making it appropriate for a professional setting.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality Levels of 'Try Reading'
Talking to friends or family.
読んでみる (Yonde miru)
Standard polite Japanese for strangers or colleagues.
読んでみます (Yonde mimasu)
Humble form used in high-level business.
拝読してみます (Haidoku shite mimasu)
Where to use 読んでみる
Bookstore
Checking a new novel
Restaurant
Deciphering a menu
Texting
Opening a shared link
Study
Trying a new textbook
자주 묻는 질문
12 질문Not exactly. While みる means 'to see,' in this grammar it means 'to try.' You are 'reading to see' if it's good.
No, for a movie you would use 観てみる (mite miru). 読んでみる is specifically for text.
Yes, but use the polite form 読んでみます (yonde mimasu). It shows you are willing to check the document.
The past tense is 読んでみた (yonde mita), which means 'I tried reading it.' Use it when giving a review.
You can say 読んでみて (yonde mite). It’s a very common way to recommend something to a friend.
Definitely! If a friend sends a long text, you can say 後で読んでみるね (I'll try reading it later).
読もう (yomou) means 'let's read' or 'I shall read.' 読んでみる is more about the 'trial' aspect.
Yes! It’s perfect for that. It implies you'll give it your best shot despite the difficulty.
All the time. Characters often use it when they find a mysterious scroll or a secret letter.
Yes! 読んでみたい (yonde mitai) means 'I want to try reading it.' It's a great way to express interest.
You can say 読んでみたけど、難しかった (I tried reading it, but it was hard). The phrase covers the attempt.
Not at all. It shows you are interested in exploring the gift someone gave you.
관련 표현
食べてみる
行ってみる
聞いてみる
やってみる
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