verb
to apply (for a job)
A2
'bewerben' (reflexive: sich bewerben) means to apply (for a job) — top sense. Often used with 'um' + accusative: sich um eine Stelle bewerben. It's reflexive, uses auxiliary 'haben', is mixed/irregular (Präteritum bewarb, Partizip beworben). Passive forms for reflexive use are uncommon.
Examples
Er bewarb sich um ein Stipendium.
He applied for a scholarship.
Er hat sich für die Stelle beworben.
He applied for the position.
Ich habe mich um die Stelle beworben.
I applied for the position.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture someone mailing a CV with a big label 'BEWERBUNG' (application).
Think 'be-WER-ben' — you're putting yourself forward (wer = who), applying.
Notes
Commonly used reflexively: 'sich (für etwas) bewerben'. In most uses 'sich bewerben' does not form a normal passive. If a non-reflexive transitive sense is intended, passive forms drop the reflexive pronoun (e.g. 'er wird beworben'). Note: conjugation strings below omit explicit reflexive pronouns (mich/dich/sich/usw.) — add the appropriate reflexive pronoun when using the reflexive pattern.