〜てみせる (~te miseru) — I'll show you I can ~ / I'll definitely ~
'Just watch — I'll do it!' — the spoken form of firm determination.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
When to use it
You failed N2 the first time. A friend laughs, 'Maybe it's too hard for you.' You clench your fist and say: 「次は絶対に合格してみせる！」— 'Next time I'll pass for sure — you'll see!'
Meaning
- 「見せる」= to show, so 「〜てみせる」= I'll do it and show everyone — the nerve and determination of 'just watch'.
- The same form has another meaning, 'actually do it so someone can see' (ピアノを弾いてみせる), but in this lesson the determination meaning is the main one.
How to attach
Attach the て-form of a verb + 「みせる」, politely 「みせます」.
Versus what you know
- N4It looks like the 「〜てみる」(食べてみる = try eating it), but the meaning is almost the opposite: with 「てみる」the result is unknown, you just try and see
- With 「てみせる」you promise the result.
- It is also much stronger and more emotional than 「合格するつもりだ」, and usually comes with 絶対(に)・必ず・きっと・今度こそ.
Watch out
The key rule: only for things you can achieve by your own will and effort — it doesn't fit things out of your hands like the weather or other people's decisions — and it is the speaker's own vow; about someone else it appears as a quote, like 「〜てみせると言った」.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
今度こそ、絶対に日本語能力試験に合格してみせる。
こんどこそ、ぜったいににほんごのうりょくしけんにごうかくしてみせる。
This time I'll pass the JLPT for sure — you'll see.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 今度こそ = this time for sure → 絶対に = definitely → 合格する = to pass → て-form: 合格して → we attach 「みせる」 = I'll pass and show you → a strong resolve.
みんなに笑われたけど、いつか自分の店を持ってみせる。
みんなにわらわれたけど、いつかじぶんのみせをもってみせる。
Everyone laughed at me, but one day I'll have my own shop — just watch.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) みんなに笑われた = everyone laughed at me → いつか = someday → 自分の店を持つ = to have my own shop → て-form: 持って → 「みせる」= I'll do it and show you → an answer to those who laughed.
この仕事は一週間で終わらせてみせますから、任せてください。
このしごとはいっしゅうかんでおわらせてみせますから、まかせてください。
I'll get this job done in a week, I promise — please leave it to me.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 一週間で = within a week → 終わらせる = to finish → て-form: 終わらせて → 「みせます」 (polite) = I'll definitely finish it → 「から」 → 任せてください = please leave it to me → a polite but firm promise to the boss.
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
「次の試合では、必ず＿＿みせる。」— fill the blank.
💡 Hint: Which verb form comes before 「みせる」?
て-form + みせる. 勝ってみせる = I'll win, you'll see.
In which sentence is 「てみせる」unnatural?
💡 Hint: Is it something you can achieve by effort?
てみせる is only for things you can achieve by your own will and effort. The weather isn't in your hands — say 「晴れるといいな」.
To say 'This time I'll pass for sure — watch me!', which is right?
💡 Hint: A promise of the result.
合格してみせる = I'll pass, you'll see. 「てみる」= try and see (result uncertain, doesn't match 今度こそ); 「やしない」= definitely not (the opposite); 「てはばからない」is only for saying things openly.
Your score: /3