Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
申请 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
申请
shēnqǐng
to apply for sth
HSK 4, v, 15 strokes, rank #1632, Medium
申请
shēnqǐng
application (form etc)
HSK 4, v, 15 strokes, rank #1632, Medium
shēnqǐng(shen1qing3)shen qing T1
1to apply for sth
2application (form etc)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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.
Strokes15Frequency#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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 申请 means.
About 申请
申请Simplified
申請Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1632Frequency Rank
份Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 申请
Podcast: 申请
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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.
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.
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
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 申请, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 申请 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 申请?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 申请 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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.
When to use 申请
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).
申请 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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).
Write 申请
申
请
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 申请 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
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.
