Synonym Comparison
The Nuance Difference: "します" vs "申し込む"
Master the exact conceptual boundary between these Japanese terms.
Japanese Term A
します
します (shimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Term B
申し込む
もうしこむ (mōshikomu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
In Japanese, both します and 申し込む are often translated to English but have distinct usages.
します (します (shimasu)) represents "to do, to make, to play (a sport)" (Level: N5) and typically represents 非常に多用途な動詞です。「〜をします」の形で、行動、スポーツ、仕事など様々な活動を表します。/ A very versatile verb. Used in the form '～をします' to express various activities, sports, or jobs..
On the other hand, 申し込む (もうしこむ (mōshikomu)) translates to "to apply for, to make a reservation, to subscribe" (Level: N4) and is used for イベント参加やサービス利用など、何かを正式に願い出ること。他動詞。/ To formally request something, such as participating in an event or using a service. Transitive verb.. Mixing these up can sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers!
Bilingual Sentence for "します"
毎日宿題をします。
I do my homework every day.
Bilingual Sentence for "申し込む"
来月の旅行の予約を申し込みました。
I applied for a reservation for next month's trip.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "毎日宿題を ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I do my homework every day.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "します" fits here because it represents "to do, to make, to play (a sport)" in the context: "I do my homework every day.".