～てごらん

About

ごらん can attach to the て form of a verb to form a soft command. ～てごらん ("try and do X") should not be used with one's superiors.

～てごらん is most commonly used by parents when speaking to their children.

E.g. もう一度いちどやってごらん。 "Try and do it one more time."

E.g. ちょっとで良いいから食たべてごらん。 "Just a bit is okay so try and eat some."

〜てごらんなさい is also possible and sounds slightly stronger than 〜てごらん.

E.g. なんでうそをついたか言いってごらんなさい。 "Go ahead and say why you lied."

Summary

• 

  ～てごらん ("try and do X") is used to form a soft command

• 

  ～てごらん is most commonly used by parents when speaking to their children

• 

  ～てごらん should not be used with one's superiors.

• 

  〜てごらんなさい is also possible and sounds slightly stronger than 〜てごらん