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)