試みる|こころみるkokoromiru[4]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto try; to attempt; to have a go (at)
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 試みる（こころみる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 試みます（こころみます） |
| Negative (nai) | 試みない（こころみない） |
| polite (masen) | 試みません（こころみません） |
| classical zu / nu | 試みず・試みぬ（こころみず・こころみぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 試みた（こころみた） |
| polite (mashita) | 試みました（こころみました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 試みなかった（こころみなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 試みませんでした（こころみませんでした） |
| Te form | 試みて（こころみて） |
| Potential | 試みられる（こころみられる） |
| Passive | 試みられる（こころみられる） |
| Causative | 試みさせる（こころみさせる） |
| Causative passive | 試みさせられる（こころみさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 試みれば（こころみれば） |
| tara | 試みたら（こころみたら） |
| Volitional | 試みよう（こころみよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 試みましょう（こころみましょう） |
| Imperative | 試みろ（こころみろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym試すためすNeutralTests or tries something out, as in 「新しい方法を試す」, to check how it works. The everyday choice; 「試みる」 is more written and stresses the act of attempting.
- SynonymトライCasualA loanword meaning to give something a try, as in 「新メニューにトライ」. Colloquial and light in tone; 「試みる」 is more written and serious.
- Synonym試行しこうNeutralA noun for a trial or test run, as in 「試行錯誤」. Used mostly for technical or institutional contexts, unlike the general verb 「試みる」.
- Related企てるくわだてるNeutralPlans or plots something, as in 「脱走を企てる」. Usually carries a negative shade or implies a large-scale undertaking.
- Related取り掛かるとりかかるNeutralTo set about a task, as in 「仕事に取り掛かる」. Focuses on getting started rather than on testing something.
- Related乗り出すのりだすNeutralTo set out on or launch into something, as in 「調査に乗り出す」. Stresses actively taking on a new venture rather than making a trial attempt.
- Related努めるつとめるNeutralTo strive or make an effort, as in 「改善に努める」. Emphasizes working hard at something, not trying it out as 「試みる」 does.
- Related図るはかるWrittenTo seek or work toward a goal, as in 「解決を図る」. Written in tone; 「試みる」 centers on actually trying something in practice.
- Related着手ちゃくしゅNeutralA noun for setting to work, as in 「工事に着手する」. Rather formal, and about starting a task rather than trying it.
- Related挑むいどむNeutralTo challenge or take on something difficult, as in 「記録に挑む」. Emphasizes confronting a hard task head-on rather than simply trying it.
- Antonym諦めるあきらめるNeutralTo give up or resign oneself, the direct opposite of 「試みる」.
- Antonym断念するWrittenTo give up a plan or abandon an attempt; more formal than 「諦める」 and opposite in meaning to 「試みる」.
Use 「試みる」 for actually trying something to see the result, as in 「説得を試みる」 or 「脱出を試みる」; it leans written. In everyday speech, 「試す」 or 「トライする」 is more natural. For taking on a hard challenge, use 「挑む」; for plotting something negative or large-scale, 「企てる」. The opposites are 「諦める」 and, more formal, 「断念する」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
