Have you ever seen a Japanese anime where a kind grandmother or a wise teacher gently encourages someone by saying “Try it out” or “Look at that,” but it sounds much softer and warmer than a strict command?

Maybe you want to encourage a younger friend to try a delicious snack, or you want to point out a beautiful rainbow to a child. You want to be supportive and gentle, like a mentor guiding someone.

That’s where てごらん (te goran) shines!
It’s a lovely N3 grammar point that means “(please) try to” or “look.”

It feels like a warm hug in sentence form and is perfect when you want to give gentle advice or encouragement to someone younger or close to you.

Let’s learn how to use this expression to make your Japanese sound encouraging and naturally kind.
Ready? Here we go!

てみて(ください) (te mite (kudasai)) vs てごらん (te goran)
Both expressions suggest trying something, but who uses them and how they sound is different.

てみて(ください) (te mite (kudasai))
This is the all-purpose expression.
You can use てみて with friends, and てみてください in polite or formal situations, even with superiors. It focuses on the simple act of “trying.”

このケーキ、おいしいから食べてみてください。
この けーき、おいしい から たべてみて ください。
kono keeki, oishii kara tabete mite kudasai.
This cake is delicious, so please try eating it.

てごらん(te goran)
This is mainly used by someone in a guiding position, such as parents, teachers, or seniors, toward someone younger or less experienced.
It sounds gentle and encouraging, but it still comes from a mentoring stance rather than an equal one.

このケーキ、おいしいから食べてごらん。
この けーき、おいしい から たべて ごらん。
kono keeki, oishii kara tabete goran.
This cake is delicious, so try eating it.

💡 Quick Tip
Even though てごらん sounds soft, do not use it with your boss or someone above you.
It can sound like you are talking down to them. In those cases, stick with 〜てみてください.

てごらんなさい (te goran nasai)
てごらんなさい is a polite but clearly authoritative version of てごらん.

It is often used by parents, teachers, or adults toward children or students.
Compared to てごらん, it sounds a bit more instructional and teacher-like, while still keeping a gentle tone.
It is softer than a strict command, but it is not equal or casual.

一人でやってごらんなさい。
ひとり で やって ごらんなさい。
hitori de yatte gorannasai.
Go ahead and try doing it by yourself.

自分でやってごらん。きっとできるよ。
じぶん で やって ごらん。きっと できる よ。
jibun de yatte goran. kitto dekiru yo.
Try doing it yourself. You can do it.

怒らないから、正直に話してごらん。
おこらない から、しょうじき に はなして ごらん。
okoranai kara, shoujiki ni hanashite goran.
I won’t get mad, so try telling me honestly.

窓の外を見てごらん。富士山がきれいに見えるよ。
まど の そと を みて ごらん。ふじさん が きれい に みえる よ。
mado no soto wo mite goran. fujisan ga kirei ni mieru yo.
Look outside the window. You can see Mt. Fuji beautifully.

もう一度見直してごらん。答えのヒントが隠れてるから。
もう いちど みなおして ごらん。こたえ の ひんと が かくれてる から。
mou ichido minaoshite goran. kotae no hinto ga kakureteru kara.
Try checking it once more. There’s a hint hidden in it.

うちの犬はとても大人しいですよ。怖くないからやさしく触ってごらん。
うち の いぬ は とても おとなしい です よ。こわくない から やさしく さわって ごらん。
uchi no inu ha totemo otonashii desu yo. kowakunai kara yasashiku sawatte goran.
Our dog is very gentle. He’s not scary, so try touching him softly.

• Grammar Point: てごらん (te goran)
• JLPT Level: N3
• Meaning: (Please) try to, look
  
• Quick Explanation: Use てごらん when someone in a guiding role gently encourages or advises someone younger or less experienced.
  

So that’s how we use てごらん!
It’s a great expression when you want to cheer someone on or gently guide them forward, especially in a friendly or supportive relationship.

日本語が上手になりたければ、どんどん使ってごらん！
にほんご が じょうず に なりたければ、どんどん つかって ごらん！
nihongo ga jouzu ni naritakereba, dondon tsukatte goran!
If you want to get better at Japanese, try using it as much as you can!

Now it’s your turn!
Try using てごらん in your own sentence and imagine gently encouraging someone.

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫✨

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