exigir
/eɡsiˈxiɾ/
To demand in Spanish is exigir. Wiktionary also lists demandar.
Meaning: to request forcefully (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| exigir | /eɡsiˈxiɾ/ |
| demandar | /demanˈdaɾ/ |
Use exigir when you are forcefully requesting a right, a standard or an action. Related nouns like demanda or demanda económica can refer to the desire to purchase goods and services or the amount a consumer is willing to buy at a particular price in an economic context.
Which one should you use?
While exigir is used for general forceful requests, demandar is specifically used in a legal context to mean 'to sue' or 'to file a lawsuit'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡsiˈxiɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use demandar to mean 'to demand' a forceful request because of the English word 'demand'. In most Spanish-speaking contexts, demandar means 'to sue'.
Did you know?
- The word demandar shares an ancient root with the Latin word manus, which means 'hand'.
- The word demanda is a chameleon that can mean a legal lawsuit, a consumer's desire for a product, or a formal request, depending entirely on whether you are in a courtroom or an economics classroom.
- Spanish speakers use exigir to describe a difficult task that 'requires' a lot of effort, whereas English usually reserves 'demand' for people.
Examples in context
- Ellos van a exigir un aumento de salario.They're going to demand a pay raise.This sentence shows how to use exigir regarding a pay raise.Tatoeba #4347225 by saverius, translation #9938208 by Alairis
- Tenemos derecho a exigir un futuro seguro para nosotros y las generaciones futuras.We have a right to demand a safe future for ourselves and future generations.This sentence uses exigir to express the right to demand a safe future.Tatoeba #2783615 by marcelostockle, translation #247761 by CM
- "La policía parisina," él dijo, "son excesivamente buenos en su labor. Son perseverantes, ingeniosos, astutos y exhaustivamente versados en el conocimiento, más allá de lo que sus deberes parecen exigirles.""The Parisian police," he said, "are exceedingly able in their way. They are persevering, ingenious, cunning, and thoroughly versed in the knowledge which their duties seem chiefly to demand."This sentence uses exigir to describe what duties seem to demand from someone.Tatoeba #5085117 by albrusgher, translation #711222 by Scott
- La empresa exige puntualidad a sus empleados.The company demands punctuality from its employees.
- El gobierno requiere que todos los ciudadanos paguen sus impuestos.The government demands that all citizens pay their taxes.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are discussing a faulty product at a store.
- SofíaEste teléfono no funciona y voy a exigir un reembolso.This phone doesn't work and I am going to demand a refund.
- DanielTienes razón, Sofía, el gerente debe solucionarlo.You are right, Sofía, the manager must fix it.
- Sofía¿Crees que debamos exigir hablar con el dueño?Do you think we should demand to speak with the owner?
- DanielSí, Daniel cree que es la mejor opción ahora.Yes, Daniel thinks it is the best option now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “demand” translations and entries exigir, demandar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries demandar, exigir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
