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JLPT N3 · Requests, permission & prohibition

てごらん (te goran)

～てごらん — gentle “try ～ing”

In short · Verb te-form + ごらん is a soft way to tell someone to try or look at something: “try ～ing.” It is used by a person speaking to a child or someone younger or closer, in a kind tone. It is not used toward superiors.
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Pattern

  • 動詞て形 ＋ ごらん te-form + ごらん (読んでごらん, 見てごらん)
  • 動詞て形 ＋ ごらんなさい te-form + ごらんなさい: fuller and a bit stronger form

Meaning and origin

ごらん comes from 御覧, the honorific “look” (a form of 見る). ～てごらん literally says “look at (how it goes) after doing ～.” That is why it carries the idea of trying something to see the result.

When to use it

Parents, teachers, and elders use it to encourage a child or a friend: 食べてごらん (try eating it), 見てごらん (look!). A kind, encouraging tone is natural.

Notes

It is a mild command, not a request, so avoid it for superiors; use ～てみてください or ～てみませんか instead. The negative form is not used.

Examples

  • この本（ほん）を読（よ）んでごらん。

    Kono hon o yonde goran.

    Try reading this book.

  • あそこの看板（かんばん）を見（み）てごらん、面白（おもしろ）い絵（え）があるよ。

    Asoko no kanban o mite goran, omoshiroi e ga aru yo.

    Look at that sign over there; there's a funny picture.

  • 分（わ）からないなら、先生（せんせい）に聞（き）いてごらん。

    Wakaranai nara, sensei ni kiite goran.

    If you don't understand, try asking the teacher.

Common mistakes

  • Do not use it to a boss or teacher. It sounds like an order from above. Use ～てみてください.
  • The form is fixed: te-form + ごらん. Not ～ないでごらん.

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