If you’ve studied Japanese for a while, you’ve probably seen both 〜てみる and 〜てみせる. At first glance, they look very similar because they both use the verb みる.

But the meanings are actually quite different — and many learners accidentally confuse them!

Today, let’s learn the difference in a simple way with lots of examples 🙌

〜てみる = Try doing

The grammar 〜てみる means:

to try doing something
to do something and see what happens
to experience something for the first time

It focuses on testing or attempting an action.

Structure

Verbて-form + みる

Examples

日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうしてみます。

→ I’ll try studying Japanese.

このラーメンを食たべてみたい！

→ I want to try eating this ramen!

一人ひとりで行いってみた。

→ I tried going alone.

新あたらしいアプリを使つかってみました。

→ I tried using a new app.

Important Nuance

With 〜てみる, the speaker is curious or experimenting.

It often has the feeling of:

“Let’s see what happens.”
“Why not try?”
“I’ve never done this before.”

〜てみせる = I’ll show you! / I’ll definitely do it!

Now let’s look at 〜てみせる.

This grammar has a completely different feeling.

It means:

to do something for someone to see
to prove you can do it
to strongly promise or demonstrate something

Structure

Verbて-form + みせる

Examples

私わたしがやってみせます！

→ I’ll show you how it’s done!

次つぎは絶対ぜったいに勝かってみせる！

→ I’ll definitely win next time!

日本語にほんごを話はなしてみせる！

→ I’ll prove that I can speak Japanese!

彼かれは子こどもに泳およいでみせた。

→ He showed the child how to swim.

Important Nuance

〜てみせる often sounds:

determined
emotional
confident
dramatic

Sometimes it feels like:

“Watch me.”
“I’ll prove it.”
“Leave it to me.”

The Biggest Difference

Here’s the easiest way to remember it:

Grammar	Main Meaning
〜てみる	try doing
〜てみせる	show/prove by doing

日本語にほんごを話はなしてみる。

→ I’ll try speaking Japanese.

This is a simple attempt or experiment.

日本語にほんごを話はなしてみせる。

→ I’ll show you that I can speak Japanese!

This shows strong determination or proof.

ダイエットしてみる。

→ I’ll try dieting.

This sounds casual and experimental.

ダイエットしてみせる！

→ I’ll definitely lose weight!

This sounds emotional and determined.

Common Situations

〜てみる is common for:

• trying food
• trying hobbies
• trying new methods
• experimenting
• casual suggestions

Example:

このゲーム、やってみる？

→ Want to try this game?

〜てみせる is common for:

• encouragement
• determination
• showing skills
• promises
• dramatic anime-style lines 😆

Example:

必かならず成功せいこうしてみせる！

→ I’ll definitely succeed!

A Small Tip

Many learners overuse 〜てみせる because it sounds cool.
But in daily conversation, 〜てみる is MUCH more common.
〜てみせる can sound intense depending on the situation, so use it when you really want to show determination or prove something.

Quiz Time ✨

Which one sounds more natural?

① 新あたらしいカフェに行いって＿＿＿。

A. みる
B. みせる

Answer: ✅ A. みる
You are simply trying a new café.

② 今度こんどこそJLPTに合格ごうかくして＿＿＿！

A. みる
B. みせる

Answer: ✅ B. みせる
This shows strong determination.

Final Thoughts

Even though 〜てみる and 〜てみせる look similar, the feelings behind them are very different.

• 〜てみる → trying something
• 〜てみせる → proving or showing something with determination

Once you notice the emotional difference, understanding Japanese conversations and anime lines becomes much easier 😊
Have you ever heard 〜てみせる in anime or dramas before? It appears a lot in emotional scenes!

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