How to say "challenge" in Japanese

• 挑戦ちょうせんJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe core word for 'challenge': an attempt at something difficult or an act of defying someone. Think of challenging a record, a rival, or a new undertaking.
  スカイダイビングに挑戦ちょうせんしたいんです。↗

  I'd like to try out skydiving.
• 相手取るあいてどるCommon
  expression, godan verb, transitive verbA verb for taking someone on as an opponent: challenging them in a lawsuit, or taking them on in negotiations or a contest. Use it when the challenge is directed at a specific opposing party.
  会社かいしゃは元もと会計かいけいを相手あいて取とって訴訟そしょうを起おこした。↗

  The company took action against its former accountant.
• 難題なんだいCommon
  nounA noun for 'challenge' as a difficult problem — a hard issue or task that confronts you, rather than an act of daring or defiance.
  君きみはそれらの難題なんだいに対処たいしょしなくてはならない。↗

  You have to cope with those difficult problems.
• 申し込みもうしこみJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounReally 'application, entry, request': it touches 'challenge' only when you sign up or enter for one, as in applying to take part in a contest. Seldom the word you want for challenge itself.
  結婚けっこんの申し込もうしこみが殺到さっとうした。↗

  Marriage proposals flooded in.
• 申し込むもうしこむJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe verb counterpart: to apply for something, propose marriage, or offer mediation. It matches 'challenge' only through proposing or requesting one, and is seldom the verb you want for challenging someone.
  あなたはあの勤め口つとめぐちに申し込もうしこむべきだ。↗

  You should apply for that post.

Use 挑戦 for challenges in general, 「相手取る」 for taking on an opponent in a lawsuit, negotiation, or contest, 難題 for a challenge that is a difficult problem, and 「申し込み」・「申し込む」 only for entering or applying.

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

• 挑戦ちょうせんchallenge
• 相手取るあいてどるto challenge (esp. in a lawsuit)
• 難題なんだいdifficult problem
• 申し込みもうしこみapplication
• 申し込むもうしこむto apply for
• 臨みのぞみchallenge
• 努力目標どりょくもくひょうgoal to strive for
• 挑戦状ちょうせんじょう(written) challenge
• 仕掛けるしかけるto challenge
• 課題かだいproblem (that needs solving)
• 歯ごたえはごたえchallenge (e.g. work, book)
• 命題めいだいproblem
• 咎めるとがめるto question (a suspect)
• 忌避きひrecusation (of a judge)
• 仕掛けしかけchallenge