試す

• Reading: ためす
• Romaji: tamesu
• Kanji breakdown: 試 (shi/tamesu) — try, test, attempt
• Pronunciation: /ta.me.sɯ/

Meaning

To try; to test; to attempt. Putting something to the test to see the result.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb. Used for trying out new things (新しい方法を試す, to try a new method), testing abilities (力を試す, to test one's strength), and sampling (味を試す, to taste-test). Related to 試み (attempt) and 試験 (examination). Slightly more deliberate than やってみる (to give something a try).

Examples

1. 新しいレシピを試してみたら意外とおいしかった。 I tried a new recipe and it was surprisingly delicious.
2. この方法がうまくいくかどうか試す価値はある。 It's worth trying to see if this method works.
3. 友達に勧められたアプリを試した。 I tried an app my friend recommended.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, cooking, technology

Tone: curious

Origin & History

The kanji 試 combines 言 (words/speech) and 式 (ceremony/style). Originally meant 'to test through words' — examining or evaluating through questioning. Extended to all forms of testing and trying.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal