Word
申し込む
Meaning in Englishapply, sign up, request
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
What does 申し込む mean? It means to apply or submit an application; to express a wish to participate or request something by officially presenting it. The action is typically directed toward a program, job, service, event, or bid and implies a proactive step to be considered or accepted.
Main meanings
- to apply for a job, school admission, training, or any program
- to sign up or enroll for a service, event, or membership
- to submit a formal application or proposal to an authority or organization
- to place a bid or offer in an auction or competition
How to use it
- used with に to indicate the target of the application
- primarily in formal or written contexts
- common in job applications, school admissions, event registrations, and bids
- in casual speech, alternatives like エントリーする or 応募する may be preferred depending on nuance
Variants and close terms
- 応募する (おうぼする) - oubo suru - to apply, especially for jobs or programs
- 申請する (しんせいする) - shinsei suru - to apply for official permission or benefits
- エントリーする (エントリーする) - entorii suru - to enter a competition or sign up
- 申し出る (もうしでる) - mousideru - to offer or propose
Composition
- 申: to say; root of speaking, used to form formal verbs such as 申し
- 込: to push in; enter or insert, indicating the act of presenting or submitting
Etymology
申 (mōsu/mousu) + 込 (komu) form 申し込む, reflecting the act of stating a request and pushing it forward.
Origin
Earliest attestations date from classical Japanese; the usage developed in formal and bureaucratic contexts, later expanding to modern job applications, enrollments, and bidding processes.
Word class
Verb (godan, u-verb)
Related words by kanji and components
N1
組み込む
kumikomu
to insert, to include, to cut in (printing)
N1
意気込む
ikigomu
to be enthusiastic about
N1
割込む
warikomu
to cut in, to disturb
N1
踏み込む
fumikomu
to step into (someone else's territory, to break into, to raid
N1
放り込む
hourikomu
to throw into
N1
見込み
mikomi
prospects, expectation, hope
N1
申し入れる
moushiireru
to propose, to suggest
N1
申出
moushide
request, claim, report
N1
申し出る
moushideru
to report to, to tell, to suggest