What is the difference between "応募する", "当てはまる", "当てはめる", "施す"?

"応募する" means "to apply (for a job, position, prize, etc.)", "当てはまる" means "to apply to, to be applicable, to fit (a condition/rule)", "当てはめる" means "to apply (a rule/theory), to adapt, to fit (something to something else)", "施す" means "to apply, to bestow".

Quadruple VS

Synonym Boundary: "応募する", "当てはまる", "当てはめる", "施す"

All represent the core concept "apply", but require precise selection.

Japanese Option A

応募する

おうぼする (ōbosuru)

N3 / CEFR

Japanese Option B

当てはまる

あてはまる (atehamaru)

N2 / CEFR

Japanese Option C

当てはめる

あてはめる (atehameru)

N2 / CEFR

Japanese Option D

施す

ほどこす (hodokosu)

C1 / CEFR

Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "apply" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "応募する", "当てはまる", "当てはめる", "施す" based on context.

応募する (おうぼする (ōbosuru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to apply (for a job, position, prize, etc.)" and is used when 仕事や賞品、募集などに対して申し込みをする際に使われます。多くの場合、「〜に.
当てはまる (あてはまる (atehamaru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to apply to, to be applicable, to fit (a condition/rule)" and is used when Intransitive verb. Used when something matches a condition, rule, or situation. It 'fits' or 'applies' by itself..
当てはめる (あてはめる (atehameru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to apply (a rule/theory), to adapt, to fit (something to something else)" and is used when Transitive verb. Used when one makes something.
施す (ほどこす (hodokosu) - Level: C1): Maps to "to apply, to bestow" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus..

Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!

Context for "応募する"

彼は日本の大学院に応募するつもりだ。

He intends to apply to a graduate school in Japan.

Context for "当てはまる"

この条件に当てはまる人は応募してください。

Those who meet these conditions, please apply.

Context for "当てはめる"

その理論を現実の問題に当てはめて考えてみた。

I tried to apply that theory to real-world problems.

Context for "施す"

毎日、日本語を練習するために施す。

Every day, I apply, to bestow to practice Japanese.

Synonym Mastery Challenge

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "彼は日本の大学院に＿＿＿つもりだ。" (Meaning: "He intends to apply to a graduate school in Japan.")

🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "応募する" is correct here because it represents "to apply (for a job, position, prize, etc.)" in the context: "He intends to apply to a graduate school in Japan.".