try

IPA/traɪ/
KK[trˈaɪ]IPA/traɪ/

try — 動詞

  • trypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • trieshe / she / it
  • triedpast simple
  • trying-ing form

1. to do something with the aim of succeeding, especially when the action is hard o

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A1
釋義

嘗試；努力

付出努力去做某事

to do something with the aim of succeeding, especially when the action is hard or the result is unknown.

例句

Christopher tried to open the window, but the handle was stuck.

Christopher 試著打開窗戶，但把手卡住了。

try + to-infinitive for effort toward a goal

If you cannot sleep, try drinking warm milk before you go to bed.

如果你睡不著，試試上床前喝杯溫牛奶。

try + -ing form for suggesting a method

常見搭配
  • try hard
  • try your best
  • try your hardest
  • try again
  • try desperately
同義詞
  • attempt

    more formal; often used in writing rather than conversation

  • strive

    implies great effort over a longer period, often with strong motivation

  • endeavour

    formal; suggests a serious, sustained attempt, especially in British English

反義詞
  • give up

    to stop trying because success seems impossible

  • abandon

    to leave an effort permanently before it is complete

文法句型

try + to-infinitive for making an effort

try + -ing form for experimenting with a method

try + possessive + best / hardest

用法筆記

Try + to-infinitive focuses on the effort toward a goal; try + -ing form focuses on experimenting with a method. Both are grammatically correct, but the meaning changes.

常見錯誤

I tried to calling him.
I tried to call him.
after try + to-infinitive, the second verb must be the base form.
He tried hard passing the exam.
He tried hard to pass the exam.
try hard is followed by to-infinitive, not the -ing form.
Why not try to add more salt and see if it tastes better?
Why not try adding more salt and see if it tastes better?
when suggesting an experiment, use the -ing form.

2. to experience or operate something briefly in order to judge its quality, useful

2.動詞及物A2
釋義

試用；試吃

試著使用或體驗以判斷好壞

to experience or operate something briefly in order to judge its quality, usefulness, or effectiveness before making a final choice.

例句

Dewi tried a new Thai recipe for dinner, and her family loved it.

Dewi 嘗試做了一道新的泰式料理當晚餐，家人都很喜歡。

try + noun phrase for testing a new thing

Before buying the sofa, Ife tried sitting on it in the showroom.

Ife 在買沙發之前，先在展示間試坐了一下。

常見搭配
  • try a new recipe
  • try a product
  • try a method
  • try a technique
  • try something for size
同義詞
  • test

    more deliberate; often involves checking for problems

  • sample

    specifically about tasting food or trying a small amount

  • experiment with

    suggests trying several options to compare results

反義詞
  • reject

    to decide not to use something, often after testing

  • avoid

    to keep away from something without trying it at all

文法句型

try + noun phrase for testing something

try + -ing form for sampling an experience

用法筆記

In this sense the object is a product, method, food, activity, or experience being evaluated. Contrast with Sense 1 where the object (or to-infinitive) is a task being attempted.

常見錯誤

I tried to the new shampoo.
I tried the new shampoo.
use the noun phrase directly, not with 'to'.

3. to hear the evidence and facts of a legal case in a court of law and reach a for

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

審判；審理

在法庭上審理案件以決定有罪與否

to hear the evidence and facts of a legal case in a court of law and reach a formal decision about whether the accused person is guilty or not guilty.

例句

The former banker was tried for fraud in a London court.

那位前銀行家在倫敦的法院因詐欺罪受審。

passive: be tried for [crime]

Judge Ryo will try the case starting next Monday.

Ryo 法官將於下週一審理這個案件。

active: judge tries a case

常見搭配
  • try a case
  • try somebody for murder / fraud / theft
  • be tried in court
同義詞
  • prosecute

    specifically about the state bringing charges against someone; narrower in scope

  • adjudicate

    formal; refers to the judge's role in making a legal decision

文法句型

try + somebody + for + crime

be tried for + crime

be tried at + court / place

用法筆記

Frequently passive (be tried) when the subject is the accused person. The active subject can be a judge (presiding over the case) or a lawyer (representing a side in court).

常見錯誤

He was trialed for theft.
He was tried for theft.
the past participle is tried, not trialed.

4. to cause someone to feel annoyed, impatient, or upset, especially through repeat

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

考驗；折騰

一再困擾而耗損耐心

to cause someone to feel annoyed, impatient, or upset, especially through repeated small problems or demands.

例句

The constant noise from the building site tried Henry's patience every day.

建築工地持續傳來的噪音每天都在考驗 Henry 的耐心。

collocation: try + possessive + patience

Jisoo's habit of arriving late began to try her colleagues at work.

Jisoo 愛遲到的習慣開始讓她的同事感到困擾。

常見搭配
  • try somebody's patience
  • try somebody's nerves
同義詞
  • test

    more general; can refer to any kind of challenge

  • strain

    suggests putting pressure on a relationship or system

  • irritate

    less formal; focuses on the feeling of annoyance

反義詞
  • soothe

    to calm someone down, the opposite of causing irritation

  • ease

    to make a situation less difficult or stressful

文法句型

try + somebody

try + possessive + patience

用法筆記

This sense is more formal than 'annoy' or 'irritate'. It is most commonly used with 'patience' as the direct object. The subject is typically a situation or repeated behaviour, not a person acting deliberately.

常見錯誤

My brother tries me when he sings.
My brother tries my patience when he sings.
the object is usually 'patience' rather than a person directly.
片語動詞

try on

phrasal verb

to put on a piece of clothing to see if it fits and looks good before deciding whether to buy it.

試穿

Vinícius tried on three different jackets before choosing the black one.

Eve tried on the dress in the shop but decided it was too short.

try out

phrasal verb

to test something, such as equipment, a method, or a skill, by using it in practice to see how well it works.

試用；測試

Ryan tried out the new camera by taking photos of the park.

The coach asked the young players to try out for the team.

try for

phrasal verb

to make an attempt to get or achieve something that requires effort or luck.

爭取；力圖

Padma is trying for a place at a top university next year.

After the bronze medal, the athlete decided to try for gold.

try out for

phrasal verb

To compete for a position in a team, play, or other group by showing your skills.

參加選拔

Maya tried out for the school basketball team last week.

Are you going to try out for the lead role in the play?

慣用語

tried and tested

idiom

used to describe a method, product, or approach that has been used many times in the past and has proven to work well.

經過考驗的；證實有效的

The chef used a tried and tested recipe for the wedding cake.

In teaching, tried and tested methods often work better than new ideas.

try your hand (at)

idiom

to attempt doing something for the first time, especially a skill or creative activity.

嘗試（新事物）；初試身手

Quan decided to try his hand at pottery during the summer break.

Nala tried her hand at writing short stories and won a small prize.

try your luck

idiom

to attempt something that involves risk or luck, hoping to succeed even though success is not guaranteed.

碰運氣

Darius decided to try his luck at the local talent show.

The young artist tried her luck by sending paintings to a gallery.

do/try your damnedest (to do something)

idiom

To make the greatest possible effort to achieve something.

竭盡全力

Maya did her damnedest to finish the race despite the rain.

Will you try your damnedest to pass the exam?

do/try your level best (to do something)

idiom

To do everything you can to achieve something.

盡最大努力

Sara tried her level best to learn Chinese before the trip.

Diego did his level best to fix the broken computer.

not for want/lack of trying

idiom

Used to say that someone has tried very hard even though they did not succeed.

並非不努力

The team lost the match, but not for want of trying.

He didn't get the job, but it wasn't for lack of trying.

these things are sent to try us

idiom

Used to say that difficult situations are meant to test our strength and we should accept them.

這些是考驗

When the car broke down, Dad said these things are sent to try us.

Losing your wallet is frustrating, but these things are sent to try us.

tried and tested/trusted

idiom

Describes a method or thing that has been used successfully many times before.

經過考驗的

This recipe is a tried and tested way to bake a chocolate cake.

Aiden used a tried and trusted strategy to win the chess game.

try/do your damnedest (to do something)

idiom

To make the greatest possible effort to achieve something.

竭盡全力

Brian tried his damnedest to convince the board to invest.

Did you try your damnedest to finish the project on time?

try your hand (at something)

idiom

To attempt an activity or skill for the first time.

嘗試（新事物）

Min decided to try her hand at painting this weekend.

Have you ever tried your hand at playing the guitar?

try it on (with somebody)

idiom

To behave badly or test someone's limits to get what you want, knowing it might annoy them.

試探底線

The student tried it on with the substitute teacher by talking loudly.

My little brother always tries it on with Mom when she's busy.

try your luck (at something)

idiom

To attempt something risky or based on luck, hoping to succeed.

碰運氣

Liam tried his luck at the lottery and won a small prize.

Why don't you try your luck at the job fair tomorrow?

try somebody’s patience

idiom

To cause someone to become impatient or annoyed.

考驗耐心

The constant noise from the construction site tried my patience.

Her endless questions tried the teacher's patience.

try — 名詞

同根字

常見搭配

名詞搭配

副詞搭配

常用片語

  • try your best
  • try your hardest
  • give it a try
  • worth a try

介系詞搭配