A hand testing the doorknob: -아/어 보다

Where the picture shows up in -아/어 보다

1. 1

   an invitation to try

   이거 한번 먹어 보세요.

   i-geo han-beon meo-geo bo-se-yo

   Here, give this a taste.

2. 2

   trying without promising

   제가 전화해 볼게요.

   je-ga jeon-hwa-hae bol-ge-yo

   I'll try calling them.

   Softer than 전화할게요, because you are not guaranteeing the outcome.

3. 3

   turning it over in your head

   다시 한번 생각해 보세요.

   da-si han-beon saeng-ga-kae bo-se-yo

   Please think it over once more.

4. 4

   testing before you commit

   이 옷 입어 봐도 돼요?

   i ot i-beo bwa-do dwae-yo

   Can I try this on?

5. 5

   a door you once opened

   제주도에 가 봤어요?

   je-ju-do-e ga bwa-sseo-yo

   Have you ever been to Jeju?

   In the past tense, -어 봤다 means experience, not attempt: not 'tried to', but 'has ever'.