demandar
/demanˈdaɾ/
To sue in Spanish is demandar. Wiktionary also lists querellarse and pleitear.
Meaning: to file a legal action (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| demandar | /demanˈdaɾ/ |
| querellarse | /keɾeˈʝaɾse/ |
| pleitear | /pleiteˈaɾ/ |
Which one should you use?
demandar is the most common term for filing a civil lawsuit for damages or breach of contract. querellarse is used specifically when filing a formal criminal complaint or acting as a prosecutor in a criminal matter. pleitear refers more to the act of legal pleading or the process of litigation itself rather than the act of initiating a lawsuit.
How does it change in a sentence?
When suing a person, you must use the personal a before the object.
How do you pronounce it?
/demanˈdaɾ/
Did you know?
- While demandar covers civil law, the term querellarse is used when the victim becomes the 'querellante', effectively acting as a private prosecutor in a criminal trial.
- In Spanish legal terminology, a pleito is not just a lawsuit but can refer to any long-standing, bitter dispute or 'quarrel' between families or neighbors that may never actually reach a court.
- The word demandar comes from the Latin 'demandare', which originally meant to 'hand over' or 'entrust' something.
Examples in context
- Debería demandar a Tom.I should sue Tom.This sentence shows how to express the intent to sue someone.Tatoeba #5152013 by albrusgher, translation #2406366 by CK
- Si haces eso, te demandaré por incumplimiento de contrato.If you do that, I'll sue you for breach of contract!This sentence is useful for expressing a threat of legal action regarding a breach of contract.Tatoeba #5807833 by albrusgher, translation #5363989 by mailohilohi
- Te demandaré.I will sue you.This sentence demonstrates a direct threat to sue.Tatoeba #5151997 by albrusgher, translation #64269 by xtofu80
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro is talking to Lucía about a legal issue at work.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿vas a demandar al jefe?Alejandro, are you going to sue the boss?
- AlejandroSí, Lucía, lo voy a demandar.Yes, Lucía, I am going to sue him.
- LucíaEs una decisión muy difícil.It is a very difficult decision.
- AlejandroLo sé, pero es justo.I know, but it is fair.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sue” translations and entries demandar, querellarse, pleitear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries demandar, pleitear, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
