The Meaning of mōshikomi [申し込み] In Japanese

申し込み
もうしこみ
Romaji: mōshikomi N4

What does 申し込み mean?

Translation and Meaning

application, submission, entry, request, sign-up

Definition

申し込み means the act of applying or submitting a request to join, enroll, or obtain a service or opportunity. It refers to the formal submission of a form or information to an organization to participate, qualify, or receive something, often as part of a process like registration or enrollment.

Type

noun (suru-verb)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Formal application or entry to programs, courses, jobs, memberships, or services.
  • The act of submitting a request or form, online or on paper, to obtain something or to change a status.
  • Registration or sign-up for events, newsletters, memberships, or services, common in consumer flows.

Etymology

From 申す (to say) and 込む (to include/put in); combined to express the act of stating one’s intent and including required details to request something. The form もうしこみ becomes moshikomi in modern speech, with the long vowel indicated by the macron.

Composition

  • 申: to say, to declare; used in humble forms such as 申し す/申す
  • 込: to include, to put in; here conveys the idea of including details when applying

Usage

Contexts: formal and professional use. As a noun, it names the process of applying; The verb form 申し込む (to apply) is used when actively applying; In customer interactions, お申し込み is used for politeness. Common phrases include 申し込みをする (moshikomi o suru); 申し込み用紙 (moshikomi youshi); オンラインで申し込みを完了する (onrain de moushikomi o kanryō suru).
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine saying your name and including all required details in a form; 申す (moshi) is the act of saying, 込む (komu) is to include; together they mean applying by saying and including your information.

Variations

  • 申込み (もうしこみ, moshikomi) — kanji variant commonly seen on forms
  • 申請 (しんせい, shinsei) — similar meaning but more official
  • お申し込み (omoushikomi) — polite form used in customer communications

Example Phrases

  • オンラインの講座に 申し込み を して 来週 行く 計画 を 立てた。
    Onrain no kōza ni moushikomi o shite raishū iku keikaku o tateta.
    I applied to an online course and planned to go next week.
    Lista:
    • オンラインの講座に (Onrain no kōza ni) – to an online course
    • 申し込み (mōshikomi) – application
    • を (wo) – object marker
    • して (shite) – doing
    • 来週 (raishū) – next week
    • 行く (iku) – go
    • 計画 (keikaku) – plan
    • を (wo) – object marker
    • 立てた (tateta) – made
    「申し込み」は名詞で、動詞「する」と組み合わせて「申し込みをする」＝ to apply; この文では「申し込みをして」で次の動作へつなぐ。
申し込み