申し込む
mōshikomu[mo̞ːɕi̥ko̞mɯ̟]
The English phrase 'apply' is translated into Japanese as 申し込む (mōshikomu).
申し込む is used when you apply for a service, a position, a program or a membership, such as a job or a scholarship. It is not used for the physical act of applying a substance to a surface.
Meaning: to put to use, to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case (verb)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both 申し込む and 応募する can be used to mean 'to apply' and are considered formal. The noun form 申し込み is also a formal term commonly seen on official forms, websites or buttons to mean 'Application' or 'Sign up'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using this verb, the particle に is used to indicate the object or program that you are applying for, following the pattern 〜に申し込む.
How do you pronounce it?
mōshikomu
Did you know?
- While 申し込む means 'to apply', it can also mean 'to challenge' or 'to provoke' in a confrontational context. This is why it is used in Sumo to formally challenge a higher-ranking wrestler.
- While 申し込む usually means 'to apply', it can also be used to propose marriage, which is 結婚に申し込む.
- In the world of Sumo, a wrestler uses 申し込む when they formally challenge an opponent to a match.
Examples in context
- 奨学金を申し込むつもりだよ。I am going to apply for a scholarship.This sentence shows how to use 申し込む to express an intention to apply for a scholarship.Tatoeba #147104 by small_snow, translation #258085 by CC
- その奨学金に申し込むつもりです。I'm going to apply for the scholarship.This sentence uses 申し込む to express an intention to apply for a specific scholarship.Tatoeba #160035 by bunbuku, translation #254487 by CK
- オンラインで申し込む方が早いかもよ。If you apply online, it might be faster.This sentence demonstrates using 申し込む in the context of applying online.Tatoeba #11554922 by small_snow, translation #11554704 by CK
- 就職先に 応募する 時には、履歴書を提出してください。When applying for a job, please submit your resume.
- ビザを 申し込む 前に、必要な書類を準備してください。Please prepare the necessary documents before applying for a visa.
- このイベントに 申し込む の忘れないで。Don't forget to apply for this event.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are talking about a volunteer program.
- 結衣 Yuiこのボランティアに申し込むよ。Kono borantia ni mōshikomu yo.I'm going to apply for this volunteer program.
- 健太 Kentaいい考えだね。僕も申し込むよ。Ii kangae dane. Boku mo mōshikomu yo.That's a good idea. I'll apply too.
- 結衣 Yui締め切りはいつかな？Shimekiri wa itsu kana?I wonder when the deadline is?
- 健太 Kenta明日までだから、早く申し込もう。Ashita made dakara, hayaku mōshikomō.It's until tomorrow, so let's apply quickly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 申し込む, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
