How to say "candidate" in Japanese

• 候補こうほJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe general word for a candidate or contender: someone or something in the running for a position, award, or selection. It also covers candidacy itself, and fits when listing options under consideration.
  スミス氏しは市長しちょう候補こうほである。↗

  Mr Smith is a candidate for mayor.
• 候補者こうほしゃCommon
  nounThe candidate as an individual person, especially someone standing in an election; it also covers the 'applicant' sense. Choose it when you mean the person rather than the candidacy or the option itself.
  彼かれらは皆みなその候補者こうほしゃを応援おうえんした。↗

  They all boosted the candidate.

Use 候補 for a candidate or contender broadly — including the option or pick on a list and candidacy itself; choose 候補者 when you mean the candidate as a person, such as an election candidate or applicant.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 候補こうほcandidate
• 候補者こうほしゃcandidate
• 志望者しぼうしゃcandidate
• 立候補者りっこうほしゃcandidate (for an election)
• キャンディデートcandidate
• 希望者きぼうしゃapplicant
• 志願者しがんしゃapplicant