Meaning and Usage
지원하다 primarily means "to apply" or "to support." It is commonly used when someone applies for something like a job, school, or a program. It can also mean "to support" in contexts like government or organizational assistance.
Common Contexts
- Applying for jobs, schools, scholarships, or programs.
- Offering support or assistance, especially in formal or official contexts.
Collocations and Patterns
- 회사에 지원하다: to apply to a company (job application)
- 대학에 지원하다: to apply to a university
- 지원서를 제출하다: to submit an application form
- 정부 지원: government support
Register and Politeness
지원하다 is a formal verb often used in written and spoken formal contexts. It is appropriate in job applications, official documents, and formal conversations.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 지원하다 with simply wanting or hoping for something. Remember, 지원하다 implies an active application or support, not just desire. For expressing desire without application, verbs like 원하다 or 바라다 are more suitable.