Translation guide
How to express 'attempt' in Japanese, covering trying something, making an effort, and formal or written attempts.
Expressing that someone tries to do something, often with a sense of effort or uncertainty about the outcome.
Attach to the te-form of a verb to mean 'try doing something' to see what happens or how it goes. Very common and natural.
新しいレストランに行ってみた。
I tried going to a new restaurant.
Please try solving this problem.
Attach to the volitional form of a verb to mean 'attempt to do' or 'try to do', often emphasizing the effort or the moment of attempting. Can imply the attempt may fail.
彼は逃げようとしたが、捕まった。
He attempted to escape but was caught.
ドアを開けようとしたけど、鍵がかかっていた。
I tried to open the door, but it was locked.
A verb meaning 'to attempt' or 'to try', often used for new or experimental attempts. Slightly formal.
新しい治療法を試みる。
Attempt a new treatment method.
Means 'to challenge' or 'to attempt' something difficult, like a test or a record. Implies taking on a challenge.
世界記録に挑戦する。
Attempt the world record.
Referring to the act of trying or the effort itself as a noun.
A noun meaning 'attempt' or 'trial'. Often used for planned or experimental attempts.
その試みは成功した。
The attempt was successful.
新しい試みとして、このプログラムを始めます。
As a new attempt, we will start this program.
A noun meaning 'challenge' or 'attempt', especially when taking on something difficult.
Means 'effort' or 'endeavor'. Often used when emphasizing the hard work put into an attempt.
Used in legal or formal contexts to describe an attempted crime.
A suffix meaning 'attempted' (crime). Attach to nouns like 殺人 (murder) to form 殺人未遂 (attempted murder).
彼は殺人未遂で逮捕された。
He was arrested for attempted murder.
Expressing the idea of making an effort or giving something a try, often in a determined way.
A very common phrase meaning 'give it a try' or 'try doing it'. Casual and natural.
できるかどうかわからないけど、やってみる。
I don't know if I can do it, but I'll give it a try.
Means 'to make an effort' or 'to strive'. More formal than やってみる.
成功するために努力する。
Make an effort to succeed.
〜てみる is for trying something out to see the result, often with curiosity. 〜ようとする focuses on the effort or the moment of attempting, and often implies the outcome is uncertain or the attempt was unsuccessful.
寿司を食べてみた。
I tried eating sushi (to see what it's like).
寿司を食べようとしたが、売り切れだった。
I attempted to eat sushi, but it was sold out.
試みる is a formal, written word. In everyday conversation, use 〜てみる or 〜ようとする instead.
彼は富士山に登ろうとした。
He attempted to climb Mt. Fuji.
彼に電話してみる。
I'll try calling him.
試みは失敗した。
The attempt failed.
彼の挑戦は失敗に終わった。
His attempt ended in failure.
His efforts bore fruit.