Have a try.

[christopher mark kohler]

I so commonly hear in China, "Have a try." It drives me nuts and I always say it is never used by 1st language English speakers. I could be wrong for the first time in my life, but in east Canada I've never heard or used it. I use the phrase as follows:

Give it a try.
Try it out.
Try it.
and some more slangish ones....
Give 'er a try.
Give 'er a go. (possibly more Newfoundlandish)

There is more slang for this but it heads down a sorry English lane.

I want to ask, is "Have a try" used in Britain or Australia or other English countries?

 

[Raymott]

I so commonly hear in China, "Have a try." It drives me nuts and I always say it is never used by 1st language English speakers. I could be wrong for the first time in my life, but in east Canada I've never heard or used it. I use the phrase as follows:

Give it a try.
Try it out.
Try it.
and some more slangish ones....
Give 'er a try.
Give 'er a go. (possibly more Newfoundlandish)

There is more slang for this but it heads down a sorry English lane.

I want to ask, is "Have a try" used in Britain or Australia or other English countries?

Yes, "Have a try" is used in Australia. It's not as common as "Give it a try".
I don't know why it drives you nuts - though I'm not a peevologist. It's certainly more logical than "Give it a try", though.

 

[Gretchenplay]

"Have a try" is common in New Zealand too, although I hear it associated with food more than anything.
"Go on, have a try! It's delicious".

 

[Tdol]

I think Have a go would be more common in BrE.

 

[christopher mark kohler]

Ok people, so it seems my advice to Chinese learners is faulty. I guess its a good thing for all to practice with "have a try" and one can hone the local Aussie, European, NA twang when and if one goes there.

Thanks, question answered from around the globe.