Translation guide
How to express 'apply for' in Japanese, covering job applications, school admissions, visa applications, and more.
To submit an application for employment or a specific position.
The most common and general verb for applying for a job or position. Used with the particle に.
その会社に応募した。
I applied for that company.
アルバイトに応募するつもりです。
I plan to apply for a part-time job.
A versatile verb meaning 'to apply' or 'to sign up'. Can be used for jobs, but also for courses, events, etc. Uses に.
Loanword from English 'entry', often used in the context of job hunting for new graduates (就活). Sounds slightly more casual/modern.
大手企業にエントリーした。
I applied to a major corporation.
To submit an application for admission to an educational institution or course.
The standard formal verb for applying to a school or university. Uses に.
東京大学に出願した。
I applied to the University of Tokyo.
To submit an application for a government-issued permit or document.
The standard verb for official applications (visa, passport, permit, etc.). Uses を.
ビザを申請する必要があります。
You need to apply for a visa.
To request a financial product from a bank or institution.
To submit a proposal or request for financial support.
To sign up to become a member of an organization or service.
応募する (oubo suru) is used when there is a selection process, like job applications or contests. 申し込む (moushikomu) is a general 'apply/sign up' for services, courses, memberships. 申請する (shinsei suru) is for official applications to authorities (visas, permits).
仕事に応募する。
Apply for a job (selection involved).
講座に申し込む。
Sign up for a course.
パスポートを申請する。
Apply for a passport.
While 申し込む can technically be used for jobs, 応募する is much more natural and common. Using 申し込む for a job might sound like you're signing up for a service rather than applying for a position.
インターンシップに申し込んだ。
I applied for an internship.
大学院に出願するには、推薦状が必要です。
To apply for graduate school, you need letters of recommendation.
Means 'to take an entrance exam', but often used to mean 'apply for' in the context of schools, as application and exam are closely linked. Uses を.
あの高校を受験するつもりです。
I plan to apply to that high school (and take the exam).
Can also be used for applying to courses or programs, especially non-degree or short-term ones. Uses に.
日本語学校に申し込んだ。
I applied for a Japanese language school.
I applied for a passport renewal.
Can be used for some official applications, but 申請する is more precise for legal documents.
住民票を申し込む。
Apply for a certificate of residence.
The most common verb for applying for financial products. Uses に.
クレジットカードに申し込んだ。
I applied for a credit card.
住宅ローンを申し込む。
Apply for a home loan.
Also possible, but 申し込む is more natural for consumer financial products.
ローンを申請する。
Apply for a loan.
Also common, especially for research grants or more formal funding. Uses を.
研究費を申請する。
Apply for research funding.
The standard verb for applying for membership or subscriptions. Uses に.
ジムの会員に申し込んだ。
I applied for a gym membership.
Netflixに申し込む。
Sign up for Netflix.
Means 'to register', often used for online services or memberships. Uses に or を.
サイトに登録する。
Register on the site.
While 申し込む can technically be used for jobs, 応募する is much more natural and common. Using 申し込む for a job might sound like you're signing up for a service rather than applying for a position.