How to say "demand" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 要求ようきゅうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbA demand in the sense of a firm request made of someone — by workers, protesters, or one negotiating party of another; it also covers 'requirement' and 'requisition'. This is the usual noun for that sense.
- 需要じゅようnounDemand in the economic sense: how much of a product or service the market wants, as in supply and demand. It is not the word for a demand made by a person.
- 要するようするsuru verb (irregular), transitive verbA verb: to need, require, or take — as when a task takes time or demands patience. For a person demanding something from someone, 要求 is the noun to reach for.
- 請求せいきゅうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbDemand in the sense of claiming or charging: demanding payment, presenting a bill, or making a claim, as for damages or insurance. Not the general word for demands in a negotiation.
- nounThe English loanword. It tends to appear in technical and business jargon; in ordinary sentences about demand, 需要 or 要求 is normally the word you want.
Use 要求 for a demand pressed on someone, 需要 for economic demand, 請求 for payment demands and claims, 「要する」 as the verb 'to need or require', and 「デマンド」 mainly in technical jargon.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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