How to Say ‘Why did you apply to this company?’ in Japanese
なぜこの会社に応募したのですか。
naze kono kaisha ni oubo shi ta no desu ka
[nah-zeh koh-noh kai-shah nee oh-boh shee tah noh dess kah]
💬 Usage Tip: Key interview question. A natural answer often uses [〜からです] or [〜と思ったからです] to sound thoughtful and professional.
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan, they often expect you to connect your reason to the company’s strengths (business, values, training) and how you’ll contribute—not just salary or location.
Phrase Breakdown
なぜ
naze
[nah-zeh]
why
Asks for the reason. In interviews, it leads into your motivation for applying.
なぜこの会社を選びましたか。
Why did you choose this company?
この会社に
kono kaisha ni
to/for this company
「この」 = this; 「会社」 = company; 「に」 marks the target/destination. With 「応募する」, 「に」 indicates the company you apply to.
この会社に入りたいです。
I want to join this company.
Words in this phrase
この
kono
[koh-noh]
this
Modifies a noun: この会社 = “this company.” Used when referring to the interviewer’s company.
なぜこの会社に応募したのですか。
Why did you apply to this company?
会社
kaisha
[kai-shah]
company
The employer/company being discussed.
なぜこの会社に応募したのですか。
Why did you apply to this company?
に
ni
[nee]
to; in; for (target)
Marks the target of applying: 会社に応募する = “apply to a company.”
この会社に応募した理由は二つあります。
I have two reasons for applying to this company.
応募した
oubo shi ta
applied
Past plain form of 「応募する」 (to apply). In conversation it often appears before 「のですか」 to ask for the reason/background.
先月、この仕事に応募した。
I applied for this job last month.
Words in this phrase
応募
oubo
[oh-boh]
application (job); applying
Key interview word meaning “job application.” Often paired with する/した.
なぜこの会社に応募したのですか。
Why did you apply to this company?
し
shi
[shee]
did (connected form of ‘to do’)
Part of past tense した (applied).
応募した理由を簡潔にお伝えします。
I will briefly tell you why I applied.
た
ta
[tah]
past tense marker
Together with し: した = past tense “did/applied.”
応募したのは御社の理念に共感したからです。
I applied because I empathized with your company’s philosophy.
のですか
no desu ka
…is it (that)?: (explanatory question)
「のです」 adds an explanatory/softening nuance (“could you explain…?”). 「か」 makes it a question. Common in polite interviews: asking for reasons and context.
どうして遅れたのですか。
Why were you late? (Please explain.)
Words in this phrase
の
no
[noh]
explanatory nominalizer
Adds “explanation” nuance; common in interview questions to invite reasons.
なぜ応募したのですか。
Why did you apply?
です
desu
[dess]
polite copula ‘is/are’
Polite, formal tone suitable for interview questions.
応募したのですか。
Did you apply? (formal)
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Marks the sentence as a question.
なぜこの会社に応募したのですか。
Why did you apply to this company?
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