Translation guide
This English phrase means doing something as an experiment or test, often temporarily or on a provisional basis. In Japanese, it is commonly expressed with adverbs like 試しに (ためしに) or 試験的に (しけんてきに), or with the pattern 〜てみる.
To do something to see what happens or to test an idea, often casually.
The most common and natural way to say 'by way of trial' in everyday conversation. It means 'as a trial' or 'just to try'.
試しにこの方法を使ってみよう。
Let's try using this method by way of trial.
試しに新しいレシピでケーキを焼いてみた。
I baked a cake by way of trial using a new recipe.
To do something temporarily, often before a final decision is made.
Used when something is done provisionally or tentatively. Often paired with 〜ておく or 〜てみる.
試しに is an adverb meaning 'as a trial', while 〜てみる is a verb ending meaning 'try doing'. They are often used together: 試しに〜てみる. Using only 〜てみる is also natural and implies a trial.
Do not translate 'by way of trial' word-for-word as 裁判の方法で (saiban no hōhō de) or similar. That would mean 'by means of a court trial' and is incorrect.
A verb pattern meaning 'try doing something'. It implies doing something as a trial to see the result. Often used with 試しに for emphasis.
このボタンを押してみてください。
Please press this button by way of trial.
新しいソフトをインストールしてみた。
I installed the new software by way of trial.
More formal, meaning 'on a trial basis' or 'experimentally'. Used in business or technical contexts.
このシステムを試験的に導入します。
We will introduce this system by way of trial.
Means 'tentatively' or 'provisionally'. Can be used for trial actions, but more often for hypothetical situations.
仮にその案を採用してみよう。
Let's adopt that plan by way of trial.
仮にこの席に座っておきます。
I'll sit here by way of trial for now.
Means 'temporarily'. Used when something is done for a short period as a trial.
一時的に新しいルールを適用します。
We will apply the new rules by way of trial temporarily.