申请 (shēnqǐng)

申请 means to formally apply for something such as a job, visa, or admission, or it refers to the application itself as a noun.

Meanings

[verb] to apply for; to formally request something through an official process
[noun] application; a formal request submitted to an authority

Example Sentences

我申请了一所美国大学的研究生项目。 Wǒ shēnqǐng le yī suǒ měiguó dàxué de yánjiūshēng xiàngmù. I applied to a graduate program at an American university.

你的签证申请已经被批准了。 Nǐ de qiānzhèng shēnqǐng yǐjīng bèi pīzhǔn le. Your visa application has been approved.

请填写申请表并提交所需材料。 Qǐng tiánxiě shēnqǐng biǎo bìng tíjiāo suǒ xū cáiliào. Please fill out the application form and submit the required materials.

他向银行申请了一笔贷款。 Tā xiàng yínháng shēnqǐng le yī bǐ dàikuǎn. He applied to the bank for a loan.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
申请表	application form
签证申请	visa application
提交申请	to submit an application
申请入学	to apply for admission

Usage Notes

申请 is used in formal contexts for official requests. It requires an institution or authority as the recipient, often introduced by 向 (to/toward). The phrase 提出申请 means to put forward an application, while 批准申请 means to approve an application.

Memory Hook

申 means "to state/express" and 请 means "to request": 申请 is formally stating your request, putting your case forward officially.