1. Basic structure
| Pattern | Structure with ～てごらん | Meaning | Notes |
|---|
| Soft imperative | Vて + ごらん | Try V and see | Colloquial; used to people of lower status/children |
| More polite | Vて + ごらんなさい | Try V | Softer but still not used toward superiors |
| Negative (rare) | Vないで + ごらん | Try not doing V (challenging nuance) | Seldom used; can sound harsh |
2. Core meaning & detailed analysis
- A suggestion/soft imperative “try doing … and see,” directed at someone of lower status or in a close relationship.
- Conveys encouragement to experience directly: try it to feel/decide for yourself.
- ～てごらん is the imperative-like form of “ご覧になる/ごらん” (to look/see), extended to any verb via Vて.
3. Illustrative examples
- これ、食べてごらん。おいしいよ。
Try this. It's delicious. - もう一度やってごらん。できるはずだよ。
Try it once more. You should be able to do it. - 声を出して読んでごらん。
Try reading it out loud. - 外に出て風を感じてごらん。
Go outside and try feeling the wind. - 自分で考えてごらん。
Try thinking for yourself. - 危ないから、触らないでごらん？（皮肉）
It's dangerous, so try not touching it? (sarcastic)
4. Usage & nuance
- Use only with subordinates/children/intimates; not with superiors/clients.
- “～てごらんなさい” sounds softer than “～てごらん”.
- Same function as “～てみなさい”; “～てみる” is voluntary, without imperative force.
- May feel a bit imposing if the relationship isn't close enough.
5. Comparison, distinctions, and similar patterns
| Pattern | Meaning | Nuance | Short example |
|---|
| Vてごらん | Try doing it | Soft imperative, to someone below you | 食べてごらん |
| Vてみなさい | Try doing it | Gentle, common in education | 読んでみなさい |
| Vてみる | Try doing | Neutral, non-imperative | やってみる |
| Vてください | Please do | Polite, neutral | 座ってください |
| Vろ／Vな | Imperative/prohibition | Very strong, rough | 行け／行くな |
6. Additional notes
- Originates from “ご覧なさい” (have a look), generalized into a soft imperative frame for any verb via Vて.
- In marketing/apps: “まずは無料で試してごらん” sounds quite casual; in formal writing, use “お試しください”.
- The interrogative form “～てごらん？” can sound inviting or sarcastic depending on intonation.
7. Variations & set phrases
- ～てごらん／～てごらんなさい
- 見てごらん（= look）／聞いてごらん／やってごらん
- ちょっと～てごらん（soft emphasis）
- ～ないでごらん（rare; challenging/sarcastic nuance）
8. Common mistakes & JLPT traps
- Using it with superiors/clients: inappropriate. Use “～てください／～ていただけますか” instead.
- Confusing it with “～てみる”: ～てごらん has an imperative feel; ～てみる is trying it yourself.
- The negative “～ないでごらん” easily comes off as sarcastic/annoying if used in the wrong context.
- Forgetting the more polite “～てごらんなさい” in educational or parent-child contexts.
Intention / Desire / Advice
