| Expression | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| やってみよう | yatte miyou | Let’s give it a try / Let’s go for it |
| やってみる | yatte miru | To try doing (something) |
| 試してみよう | tameshite miyou | Let’s test it / Let’s experiment |
YukaI hear やってみよう all the time in anime and sports! What does it mean exactly?
ReiIt means “let’s give it a try!” or “let’s go for it!” It’s a very energetic, encouraging expression. やる (to do) + みる (to try/see) + よう (let’s)!
Breaking Down やってみよう
やってみよう is made of three parts:
- やって — the te-form of やる (to do, to try)
- みよう — the volitional form of みる (to see / to try and see)
- Together: “Let’s do it and see!” — a natural expression for encouragement or suggestion
The construction [verb て-form + みる] is very common in Japanese and means “to try doing [verb].” Adding よう makes it volitional: “let’s try doing it.”
How to Use やってみよう in Sentences
- やってみよう！ — Let’s give it a try!
- まずやってみよう。 — Let’s try it first.
- 失敗してもいい。やってみよう。 — It’s okay to fail. Let’s go for it.
- 新しいレストランに行ってみよう。 — Let’s try going to the new restaurant.
Related Expressions
| Expression | Meaning | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| やってみよう | Let’s try doing it | Energetic, group or self-encouragement |
| やってみます | I’ll give it a try (polite) | Polite, individual commitment |
| やってみた | I tried it (past) | Reporting back on an attempt |
| 試してみよう | Let’s test/try it | More deliberate, experimental nuance |
| チャレンジしよう | Let’s challenge ourselves | Broader, used for bigger challenges |
YukaCan I use this to encourage a friend before a sports match?
ReiAbsolutely! やってみよう！is perfect for that — it’s like “come on, let’s go for it!” You can also say やってみせる to mean “I’ll show them what I can do!”
Common Patterns with [te-form + みる]
- 食べてみよう — Let’s try eating it
- 聞いてみよう — Let’s try asking / Let’s give listening a try
- 書いてみよう — Let’s try writing it
- 使ってみよう — Let’s try using it
Quick Quiz
What does each sentence mean?
- 1. 新しい方法を試してみよう。
- 2. まず話してみよう。
- 3. 怖くても、やってみよう。
Answers: 1. Let’s try the new method. 2. Let’s try talking first. 3. Even if it’s scary, let’s go for it.
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Summary
| Form | Meaning | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| やってみよう | Let’s give it a try! | Encouragement, group decision |
| やってみます | I’ll try it (polite) | Polite individual commitment |
| やってみた | I tried it | Reporting a completed attempt |
やってみよう is one of the most motivating phrases in Japanese. Whether you’re cheering on a friend, trying new food, or starting a new hobby — these three words say it all!
