GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜てごらん
Warmly encourages or gently instructs the listener to try an action personally.
Examples
この料理を少し食べてごらん。
Try a little of this dish.
Words used
分からない言葉は辞書で調べてごらん。
Try looking up words you do not know in a dictionary.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Add
ごらんto a verb's te-form to encourage or gently instruct the listener to try doing something. - Basic usage:
この料理を少し食べてごらん。invites the listener to taste a little of the dish.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Who is to try it
食べてごらんis addressed to the listener, whereas食べてみるcan describe the speaker's own attempt. Replacing one with the other can change who is being asked to act.
- An invitation shaped by the relationship
調べてごらんsuits situations such as guiding a child or someone close to the speaker. Although it can sound warm and gentle, it does not have the same respectful level as the formal request調べていただけますか.