申請する

• Reading: しんせいする
• Romaji: shinseisuru
• Kanji breakdown: 申 (shin) — state, say, humbly report; 請 (sei) — request, petition, ask
• Pronunciation: /ɕiɴ.seː.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To apply for; to file an application; to submit a formal request.

A する verb used for formally applying or submitting requests to authorities, institutions, or organisations. Essential for navigating Japanese bureaucracy: visa applications, permits, tax refunds, insurance claims, and more. The noun form 申請 often appears in compounds like 申請書 (application form) and 申請手続き (application procedure).

Examples

1. パスポートの更新を申請した。 I applied to renew my passport.
2. 補助金の申請は今月末が締め切りだ。 The deadline to apply for the subsidy is the end of this month.
3. オンラインで簡単に申請できるようになった。 It's now possible to apply easily online.

Usage Guide

Context: government, bureaucracy, business, immigration

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 申 (shin, state/say humbly) + 請 (sei, request/ask). Literally 'to humbly state a request,' reflecting the hierarchical relationship between applicant and authority.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal