候補

こうほ

candidacy

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"候補" (こうほ) means "candidate" or "nominee" and is commonly used to refer to people or options considered for a position, role, or selection. It is a noun and often appears in contexts like elections, job applications, or any selection process.

Common Collocations

  • 候補者 (こうほしゃ): candidate (person)
  • 候補地 (こうほち): candidate site or location
  • リーダー候補: leader candidate

Usage Notes

When using "候補," it often implies that the person or thing is under consideration but not yet chosen. It is a neutral term without strong positive or negative connotations.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "候補" with "候補者". "候補者" specifically refers to a person who is a candidate, while "候補" can refer to both people and things (like candidate locations). Make sure to use "候補者" when emphasizing the person.

Example Sentences

かれはしちょうのこうほとしてえらばれた。

He was chosen as a candidate for mayor.

このプロジェクトのリーダーこうほをきめましょう。

Let's decide on the leader candidate for this project.

あたらしいしゃいんのこうほしゃがすうにんいます。

There are several candidates for the new employee position.