Translation guide
How to express the idea of a candidate in Japanese, depending on context: job applicant, political candidate, exam candidate, or someone being considered for a position.
A person who has applied for a job or position.
Standard term for a job applicant, someone who has applied for a position.
応募者の中から最適な人を選びます。
We will select the best person from among the applicants.
Can be used for job candidates, but more commonly used for political or election candidates. In a hiring context, it implies someone who has been shortlisted.
最終候補者として面接に呼ばれました。
I was called for an interview as a final candidate.
A person running for political office.
The standard term for a candidate in an election.
彼は市長選挙の候補者です。
He is a candidate in the mayoral election.
A person taking an examination.
Standard term for someone taking an exam, especially entrance exams or qualification tests.
受験者は試験開始前に注意事項をよく読んでください。
Candidates should read the instructions carefully before the exam starts.
Sometimes used for exam candidates in formal contexts, but 受験者 is more common.
Someone who is being considered for a role, award, or position, not necessarily having applied.
Used for a candidate or nominee in a broad sense. Often used in phrases like 候補に挙がる (to be nominated/considered).
彼女はノーベル賞の候補に挙がっています。
She is a candidate for the Nobel Prize.
More personal than 候補, explicitly referring to a person.
候補 is a general term for a candidate or option, not necessarily a person. 候補者 is a person who is a candidate. 応募者 is specifically an applicant (someone who applied). 受験者 is specifically an exam taker. Choose based on the context.
旅行先の候補をいくつか挙げてください。
Please suggest some candidate destinations for the trip.
候補者は全員、面接を受けます。
All candidates will be interviewed.
応募者は履歴書を送ってください。
Applicants should send their resumes.
受験者は鉛筆を持参すること。
Exam candidates must bring their own pencils.
Specifically refers to a person who has officially declared their candidacy.
立候補者が多数出馬しました。
Many candidates entered the race.
All exam candidates should arrive on time.
The candidates for the next department head haven't been decided yet.