1.
applicant; candidate; aspirant
A person who aspires to or applies for a particular position, school, course, or opportunity.
志望者が増えている。
The number of applicants is increasing.
医学部の志望者は毎年多い。
There are many applicants to the medical school every year.
今年は採用志望者が定員の三倍に達した。
This year, the number of job applicants reached three times the available positions.
USAGE:
志望者 is a compound of 志望 (aspiration, wish) and 者 (person). It emphasizes the person's own desire or ambition, distinguishing it from 応募者 (someone who has formally applied) or 受験者 (someone who takes an exam).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 入学志望者 (applicant for admission)
- 就職志望者 (job seeker)
- 志望者数 (number of applicants)
- 志望者が殺到する (applicants flood in)