要求(ようきゅう)

ようきゅう
noun
demand, request
formalcommunication
1. demand, request, requirement
An insistent and authoritative request or the act of asking for something firmly.
賃上(ちんあ)げを要求(ようきゅう)する。
To demand a wage increase.
要求する = to demand
その要求(ようきゅう)は受(う)け入(い)れられない。
That demand cannot be accepted.
顧客(こきゃく)の要求(ようきゅう)に応(こた)えることが大切(たいせつ)だ。
It's important to meet the customers' demands.
要求に応える = to meet/respond to demands
労働(ろうどう)組合(くみあい)は会社(かいしゃ)に対(たい)して労働(ろうどう)条件(じょうけん)の改善(かいぜん)を要求(ようきゅう)した。
The labor union demanded improved working conditions from the company.
相手(あいて)の要求(ようきゅう)をすべて満(み)たすのは難(むずか)しいが、できるだけ歩(あゆ)み寄(よ)る努力(どりょく)はするべきだ。
It's difficult to meet all of the other party's demands, but we should make an effort to compromise as much as possible.
要求を満たす = to satisfy demands

要求(ようきゅう) is a demand: something the speaker states they must have, with the expectation that the other party will comply. It is the strongest of the everyday 'request' words, and it is at home in negotiations, labour disputes, customer complaints, and legal or diplomatic language rather than in ordinary favours between friends.

Grammar: 要求(ようきゅう) is a noun that also works as a する verb. The thing demanded is marked with を and the person demanded of with に.

Common patterns

Similar words, from softest to strongest:

  • 依頼(いらい): a polite request, which the other party is free to decline.
  • 要請(ようせい): a formal, often official request — a government or organization 要請(ようせい)s cooperation. Close to 要求(ようきゅう) but less confrontational.
  • 要求(ようきゅう): a demand that expects compliance.
  • 命令(めいれい): an order from someone with the authority to give it, which leaves no choice at all.

Also distinguish 請求(せいきゅう), which is a demand for money specifically — a bill or claim.

Related Words

Synonym: 要請(ようせい) (formal, official)
Related: 依頼(いらい) (polite request)
Related: 請求(せいきゅう) (claim, billing)
core
Added 2026.1.13 1:05 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
03500/03658_youkyuu