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申请 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
申请shēnqǐngto apply for sthHSK 4, v, rank #1632, Medium
申请shēnqǐngapplication (form etc)HSK 4, v, rank #1632, Medium
shēnqǐng(shen1qing3) T1
  1. 1to apply for sth
  2. 2application (form etc)
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March 24, 2026
申请(申請)shēnqǐng(shen1qing3)

申请 (shēn qǐng) means to apply for something, such as a job, a visa, or a scholarship. It is commonly used in formal contexts, especially when submitting applications or requests. The nuance lies in the process of formally seeking permission or approval for something.

Frequency#1632DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In China, the application process for things like schools or jobs can be quite competitive, reflecting the cultural emphasis on qualifications and formalities. Understanding how to navigate these processes is crucial for success in both academic and professional settings.

Memory Tip

Think of 申请 as a 'shen' (sound like 'send') request for 'qing' (like 'cleaning' up the paperwork) to get something you want. Visualize sending a neatly organized application form in a bright envelope to make your request stand out.

Meanings of 申请

shēnqǐng(shen1qing3)
1to apply for sth
2application (form etc)
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 申请

申请Simplified
申請Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1632Frequency Rank
份Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 申请

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Podcast: 申请

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AI Study Notes for 申请

Quick Contrast

申请 (shēnqǐng) vs 请求 (qǐngqiú) — use 申请 when referring specifically to formal applications, while 请求 is more general for making requests.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 申请 as a 'shen' (sound like 'send') request for 'qing' (like 'cleaning' up the paperwork) to get something you want. Visualize sending a neatly organized application form in a bright envelope to make your request stand out.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 申请 with 请求 (qǐng qiú), which means to request or ask for something in a more general sense. 申请 is more formal and often used in official contexts. Common collocation includes 申请表 (application form) and 申请人 (applicant).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 4 word, 申请 connects with other vocabulary related to formal processes and requests, such as 批准 (pī zhǔn, to approve) and 注册 (zhù cè, to register). Focus on using 申请 in sentences that involve formal situations.

Cultural Note

In China, the application process for things like schools or jobs can be quite competitive, reflecting the cultural emphasis on qualifications and formalities. Understanding how to navigate these processes is crucial for success in both academic and professional settings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 申请 in informal contexts, such as asking a friend for help, which should instead use 请求. For example, saying '我申请你帮我' (I apply for your help) is incorrect; it should be '我请求你帮我' (I request your help).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 申请

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Component Characters

申Shēnold name for Shanghai 上海[Shàng hǎi]
HSK 75 strokes田
View full entry
请qǐngto ask
HSK 110 strokes讠
View full entry

Write 申请

申
请

Practice writing 申请 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 申请

申请 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他们已经入境该国，并____了永久居留权。

They had entered the country and had applied for permanent residence.

Example Sentences for 申请 (10)

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1
他们已经入境该国，并申请了永久居留权。

tā mén yǐ jīng rù jìng gāi guó， ， bìng shēn qǐng le yǒng jiǔ jū liú。

They had entered the country and had applied for permanent residence.
2
告诉她你打算申请，这才算公平嘛。

gào sù tā nǐ dǎ suàn shēn qǐng， ， zhè cái suàn gōng píng。

It's only fair to let her know that you intend to apply.
3
申请人需要提交一份简历和附函。

shēn qǐng rén xū yào tí jiāo yī fèn jiǎn lì hé fù hán。

Applicants are asked to send in a CV and a covering letter.
4
区政务委员会同意反对者的意见，拒绝了这一申请。

qū zhèng wù wěi yuán huì tóng yì fǎn duì zhě de yì jiàn， ， jù jué le zhè yī shēn。

The district council agreed with the objectors and turned down the application.
5
最初的2.3万份申请中有1.6万份满足入选的要求。

zuì chū de2.3 2.3 wàn fèn shēn qǐng zhōng1.6 yǒu 1.6 wàn fèn mǎn zú rù xuǎn de。

Out of the original 23,000 applications, 16,000 candidates meet the entry requirements.
6
排队申请上这所学校的人数达到历史最高峰。

pái duì shēn qǐng shàng zhè suǒ xué xiào de rén shù dá dào lì shǐ zuì gāo fēng。

The queue for places at the school has never been longer.
7
委员会对所有申请许可证的人予以审慎考虑。

wěi yuán huì duì suǒ yǒu shēn qǐng xǔ kě zhèng de rén yú yǐ shěn shèn kǎo lǜ。

The Board is scrupulous in its consideration of all applications for licences.
8
一年后我们会对复职申请予以考虑和批准。

yī nián hòu wǒ mén huì duì fù zhí shēn qǐng yú yǐ kǎo lǜ hé pī zhǔn。

After a year we will sympathetically consider an application for reinstatement.
9
1987年他在本国逃脱警察追捕后，就申请了政治庇护。

1987 1987 nián tā zài běn guó táo tuō jǐng chá zhuī bǔ， hòu ， jiù shēn qǐng le zhèng zhì。

He applied for asylum in 1987 after fleeing the police back home.
10
那工作谁都可以争取, 你怎么不现在就申请 呢 ?

nà gōng zuò shuí dū kě yǐ zhēng qǔ, , nǐ zěn mó bù xiàn zài jiù shēn qǐng?

The job is up for grabs. Why don't you apply now?

Cultural Notes for 申请

🏮Cultural insight

In China, the application process for things like schools or jobs can be quite competitive, reflecting the cultural emphasis on qualifications and formalities. Understanding how to navigate these processes is crucial for success in both academic and professional settings.

Frequently Asked Questions about 申请

申请 is used for formal applications, while 请求 is more about making a request in general.