Translation guide
How to express the act of submitting something (a document, application, report, etc.) in Japanese, depending on formality and context.
The general act of handing in or sending in something for review, approval, or processing.
The most common and neutral verb for submitting documents, homework, applications, etc. Used in school, work, and official contexts.
レポートを提出する。
I will submit the report.
Please submit the application form.
A more casual, everyday verb meaning 'to hand in' or 'to send in'. Very common in spoken Japanese and informal writing.
宿題を出した？
Did you submit your homework?
申請書を出さなきゃ。
I have to submit the application.
Formal term for sending documents by mail or courier. Often used in business correspondence.
必要書類を送付いたします。
We will send the necessary documents.
Yielding or surrendering to someone's will, power, or judgment.
To obey, follow, or submit to rules, orders, or a person's will. Intransitive verb; the thing you submit to takes に.
規則に従う。
Submit to the rules.
上司の判断に従います。
I will submit to my boss's decision.
Stronger term for submission, often implying obedience to authority or force. Can sound rigid or literary.
彼は権力に服従した。
He submitted to the authority.
To yield or give in under pressure. Often used in negative or conditional forms.
Presenting a plan, suggestion, or argument for others to evaluate.
To propose or suggest. Commonly used in business meetings and formal discussions.
新しい企画を提案する。
Submit a new project proposal.
Also used for submitting proposals or plans in written form. Overlaps with the document submission meaning.
企画書を提出する。
Submit a written proposal.
提出する is more formal and often used for official documents or academic work. 出す is casual and used in daily conversation. In spoken Japanese, 出す is very common, but in written instructions or formal settings, 提出する is preferred.
レポートを提出してください。（丁寧）
Please submit your report. (polite)
レポート出してね。（カジュアル）
Hand in your report, okay? (casual)
The English loanword サブミットする is not commonly used in natural Japanese. Stick to 提出する or 出す for submitting things, and 従う for submitting to authority.
彼は脅迫に屈しなかった。
He did not submit to the threats.