Word
Kana: こころみる Romaji: kokoromiru Level: N1

試みる

Meaning in English

to try, to test

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What it means

試みる means to attempt or to try something, often with the aim of testing feasibility or exploring a possibility in a deliberate, proactive way.

Main meanings

  • to attempt or undertake a task with the aim of testing its feasibility
  • to try something out, especially to observe its results or effects
  • to undertake an action in a deliberate, perhaps tentative, manner

How to use it

Usage Used in formal and everyday contexts to express making an attempt or trial, often followed by a clause or action. Examples in Japanese include 新しい方法を試みる。未知の領域に挑む。計画を試みる。

Variants and close terms

  • 試す (tamesu) — to test or try
  • 挑む (idomu) — to challenge oneself or take on a difficult task
  • 企てる (kuwa-deru) — to plan or attempt with intention

Composition

  • 試: test, trial; core semantic field of evaluating or challenging
  • みる: verb ending that forms the action of attempting when attached to 試

Etymology

kokoromi kokoromiru derives from the noun kokoromi meaning an attempt, with the regular verb ending る attached to form the native Japanese verb. The pronunciation shifts from kokoromi in the noun to kokoromiru in the verb.

Word class

verb (godan, 五段活用)

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