Translation guide
The process or act of applying for a patent, or the documents submitted to do so.
patent application (act/process)
patent application (documents)
Referring to the action of submitting a patent application.
The standard term for 'patent application' as an act or process. Can be used as a noun or with する to mean 'to apply for a patent'.
I filed a patent application.
The patent application process is complicated.
Verb phrase meaning 'to apply for a patent'. More explicit than 特許出願する.
We plan to apply for a patent for the new invention.
Verb meaning 'to apply' (for a patent, trademark, etc.). Used when the context (patent) is already clear.
We intend to file the application next month.
Referring to the physical or digital application documents themselves.
特許出願 can be used as a noun meaning 'patent application' or combined with する to mean 'to apply for a patent'. In formal writing, 特許出願を行う is also common.
We filed a patent application.
Can also refer to the application documents themselves, though context is needed to distinguish from the act.
We are examining the patent application.