shēnqǐng: 申请 - to apply, application

• Keywords: shenqing, 申请, apply in Chinese, application in Chinese, how to apply for a job in Chinese, apply for visa Chinese, Chinese verb for application, formal request Chinese, 申请表, HSK 4 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn how to use “申请” (shēnqǐng), the essential Chinese word for making a formal application. This guide covers how to use it when applying for jobs, visas, schools, and more. Understand its cultural significance in formal situations and avoid common mistakes by comparing it to similar words like “请求” (qǐngqiú) and “要求” (yāoqiú). This page is your complete resource for mastering the art of the formal request in Mandarin Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shēnqǐng
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To formally request something from an organization or authority; an application.
• In a Nutshell: “申请” (shēnqǐng) is the word you use when you need to go through an official process to get something. Think of filling out forms, submitting documents, and waiting for approval. It’s not for casual requests to a friend; it's for serious, formal procedures like applying for a university, a new job, a bank loan, or a visa. It carries a sense of formality, procedure, and upward communication to an entity with the power to grant your request.

• 申 (shēn): This character means “to state,” “to express,” or “to report.” It implies a formal declaration or statement.
• 请 (qǐng): A very common character meaning “to ask” or “please.” It adds a layer of politeness and the sense of a request to the word.

When combined, 申请 (shēnqǐng) literally translates to “to state a request.” This captures the essence of the word perfectly: you are formally stating your request to an institution in a polite and procedural manner.

In many cultures, applying for things is a standard procedure, but the concept of 申请 (shēnqǐng) in China is deeply tied to the society's emphasis on structure, hierarchy, and formality. It represents a key interaction between an individual and a larger institution, be it the government, a company, or a school. Compared to the American concept of “applying,” which can sometimes encourage creativity or “selling yourself” (e.g., a unique college essay), the Chinese 申请 process often places a heavier emphasis on correctly and completely fulfilling all stated requirements. There is a strong cultural understanding that you must provide all the necessary documents (资料, zīliào) and follow the procedure (手续, shǒuxù) to the letter. The process is often seen as navigating a bureaucracy where the “gatekeepers” value completeness and correctness over creative flair. Successfully submitting an 申请 is a demonstration of your ability to understand and operate within a formal system. The outcome—whether it's 批准 (pīzhǔn, approved) or 拒绝 (jùjué, rejected)—is delivered by an authority figure, reinforcing the hierarchical nature of the interaction. This makes understanding 申请 crucial for anyone looking to work, study, or live in China.

申请 (shēnqǐng) is a high-frequency word used in many formal contexts. Its connotation is neutral and procedural.

• Professional Life: You 申请工作 (shēnqǐng gōngzuò) - apply for a job, 申请加薪 (shēnqǐng jiāxīn) - apply for a raise, or 申请休假 (shēnqǐng xiūjià) - apply for a leave of absence. In all these cases, you are submitting a formal request to your company's management or HR department.
• Bureaucracy and Official Matters: This is one of its most common uses. You 申请签证 (shēnqǐng qiānzhèng) - apply for a visa, 申请护照 (shēnqǐng hùzhào) - apply for a passport, or 申请贷款 (shēnqǐng dàikuǎn) - apply for a loan.
• Education: Students 申请大学 (shēnqǐng dàxué) - apply for university, or 申请奖学金 (shēnqǐng jiǎngxuéjīn) - apply for a scholarship.
• As a Noun: The word 申请 can also act as a noun, meaning “application.” For example, you might say “我的申请被批准了” (Wǒ de shēnqǐng bèi pīzhǔn le) - “My application was approved.” You also fill out a 申请表 (shēnqǐng biǎo) - an application form.

• Example 1:
  • 我需要申请去中国的旅游签证。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào shēnqǐng qù Zhōngguó de lǚyóu qiānzhèng.
  • English: I need to apply for a tourist visa to China.
  • Analysis: A classic, straightforward example of using 申请 for official government documents.
• Example 2:
  • 他决定向哈佛大学提交申请。
  • Pinyin: Tā juédìng xiàng Hāfó Dàxué tíjiāo shēnqǐng.
  • English: He decided to submit an application to Harvard University.
  • Analysis: Here, 申请 is used as a noun (“an application”). The verb “提交 (tíjiāo)” means “to submit.”
• Example 3:
  • 你可以在网上申请这张信用卡。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ zài wǎngshàng shēnqǐng zhè zhāng xìnyòngkǎ.
  • English: You can apply for this credit card online.
  • Analysis: Shows how 申请 is used for financial products, a common modern usage.
• Example 4:
  • 小王正在申请市场部经理的职位。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎo Wáng zhèngzài shēnqǐng shìchǎngbù jīnglǐ de zhíwèi.
  • English: Xiao Wang is applying for the position of Marketing Manager.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates its use in a professional job-seeking context.
• Example 5:
  • 请填写这份申请表，并附上您的简历。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng tiánxiě zhè fèn shēnqǐng biǎo, bìng fùshàng nín de jiǎnlì.
  • English: Please fill out this application form and attach your resume.
  • Analysis: Again, 申请 is part of a compound noun, 申请表 (shēnqǐng biǎo), meaning “application form.”
• Example 6:
  • 她的申请被拒绝了，因为资料不全。
  • Pinyin: Tā de shēnqǐng bèi jùjué le, yīnwèi zīliào bù quán.
  • English: Her application was rejected because the materials were incomplete.
  • Analysis: This example shows the noun form and a potential negative outcome, highlighting the importance of providing complete documents (资料).
• Example 7:
  • 如果我想请三天假，我需要向老板申请吗？
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ wǒ xiǎng qǐng sān tiān jià, wǒ xūyào xiàng lǎobǎn shēnqǐng ma?
  • English: If I want to take three days off, do I need to formally apply to the boss?
  • Analysis: This shows its use for internal company procedures, like requesting a leave of absence.
• Example 8:
  • 我们已经申请了营业执照，正在等批准。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yǐjīng shēnqǐng le yíngyè zhízhào, zhèngzài děng pīzhǔn.
  • English: We have already applied for the business license and are waiting for approval.
  • Analysis: A common scenario for entrepreneurs or businesses in China.
• Example 9:
  • 成为会员需要先提交申请。
  • Pinyin: Chéngwéi huìyuán xūyào xiān tíjiāo shēnqǐng.
  • English: To become a member, you first need to submit an application.
  • Analysis: Used for memberships in clubs, organizations, or services.
• Example 10:
  • 这个项目申请到了政府的资金支持。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù shēnqǐng dào le zhèngfǔ de zījīn zhīchí.
  • English: This project successfully applied for and received financial support from the government.
  • Analysis: The resultative complement “到 (dào)” indicates that the application was successful. “申请到” is a very common construction.

A frequent point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 申请 from other words that mean “to ask” or “to request.”

• 申请 (shēnqǐng) vs. 要求 (yāoqiú)
  • 申请 (shēnqǐng): An upward request to an authority. You are in the lower position, asking for permission or for something to be granted. (e.g., You 申请 for a visa from the embassy).
  • 要求 (yāoqiú): A demand or a requirement. This is typically a downward request from a position of authority, or a strong request between equals. (e.g., The teacher 要求 students to finish their homework. 老师要求学生完成作业).
  • Mistake: Saying `我要求一个签证` (Wǒ yāoqiú yī ge qiānzhèng - “I demand a visa”). This is rude and incorrect. You must say `我申请一个签证`.
• 申请 (shēnqǐng) vs. 请求 (qǐngqiú)
  • 申请 (shēnqǐng): Procedural and formal, directed at an institution. The focus is on the *process*.
  • 请求 (qǐngqiú): An earnest or solemn request, often to a person or group, but not necessarily tied to a formal application process. It emphasizes the *manner* of asking—humbly and earnestly. (e.g., `我请求你的原谅` - Wǒ qǐngqiú nǐ de yuánliàng - “I beg for your forgiveness”).
  • Mistake: Using 申请 for personal, emotional requests. `我申请你的帮助` is wrong. You would say `我请求你的帮助` (formal/serious) or more commonly, `请你帮我一下` (casual).

Key takeaway: Use 申请 when there is a form, a procedure, and an institution involved.

• 申请表 (shēnqǐng biǎo) - Application form. The physical or digital document you fill out.
• 申请人 (shēnqǐng rén) - Applicant. The person who is applying.
• 提交 (tíjiāo) - To submit. The action of turning in your application.
• 批准 (pīzhǔn) - To approve; approval. The positive outcome of an application.
• 拒绝 (jùjué) - To refuse; to reject. The negative outcome of an application.
• 资料 (zīliào) - Materials; data; information. The documents you need to prepare for your application.
• 手续 (shǒuxù) - Procedure; formalities. The steps you must follow.
• 签证 (qiānzhèng) - Visa. A common item one must 申请.
• 请求 (qǐngqiú) - To request (earnestly). A more personal or solemn request, not necessarily procedural.
• 要求 (yāoqiú) - To demand; to require. A strong request, often from a position of authority.