application / proposal
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application
A formal, usually written request to an authority, company, or institution in order to receive something or have something approved.
Sie müssen einen Antrag auf Baugenehmigung bei der Stadt einreichen.
You have to submit an application for a building permit to the city.
proposal
The formal question of whether someone wants to marry you.
Er hat ihr im Urlaub einen romantischen Antrag gemacht.
He made her a romantic proposal on vacation.
motion
A formal proposal that is put forward for discussion and voting in a meeting, parliament, or committee.
Der Antrag der Opposition wurde im Bundestag abgelehnt.
The opposition's motion was rejected in the Bundestag.
In a formal or bureaucratic context, the most common verb combination is 'einen Antrag stellen' (to submit/file an application). You don't 'machen' (make) or 'geben' (give) an application; you 'stellt' (submit/file) it.
Für das Visum musste ich einen Antrag bei der Botschaft stellen.
For the visa, I had to submit an application to the embassy.
When saying what the application is for, you use the preposition 'auf' followed by the accusative. For example, you submit an application for child benefit or for funding.
Die Firma hat einen Antrag auf finanzielle Unterstützung gestellt.
The company submitted an application for financial support.
An important exception is the marriage proposal. Here the verb 'machen' (to make) is used: 'jemandem einen Antrag machen' (to propose to someone). The context is always romantic, not bureaucratic.
An ihrem Geburtstag hat er ihr einen Heiratsantrag gemacht.
On her birthday, he made her a marriage proposal.
In parliaments or committees, motions are often 'eingebracht' (introduced) or 'gestellt' (submitted). After that, the motion is 'beraten' (discussed) or 'abgestimmt' (voted on).
Die Opposition hat einen Antrag zur Steuersenkung eingebracht.
The opposition introduced a motion to lower taxes.
proposal
Both words can refer to an idea that a group is meant to consider. However, der Antrag is a formal proposal in a meeting and can be put to a vote, while der Vorschlag refers primarily to the idea itself. When talking about the procedure, use „Antrag“; for a general idea, „Vorschlag“ is more suitable.
Der Antrag auf längere Öffnungszeiten wird in der nächsten Sitzung zur Abstimmung gestellt.
The motion to extend opening hours will be put to a vote at the next meeting.
Der Vorschlag für längere Öffnungszeiten wird in der nächsten Sitzung besprochen.
The proposal to extend opening hours will be discussed at the next meeting.
