How to say "demanding" in Japanese

• 催促さいそくJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers demanding as an action: pressing or urging someone to do or hand over something owed or promised. It names the act itself rather than describing a job, task, or person as demanding.
  催促さいそくがましくて恐縮きょうしゅくですが、先日せんじつお貸かししたお金かねを返かえしていただけませんか。↗

  I'm afraid this sounds like a demand, but could you return the money I lent you the other day?
• きついJLPT N3approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe adjective sense: a demanding job, schedule, or person—tough, hard, or severe, taking real effort to deal with. Use this when 'demanding' describes how taxing something or someone is.
  フーッ、この坂道さかみちはきついよ。でも帰かえりは楽らくだよね。↗

  Whew! This is a tough hill. But coming back sure will be a breeze.

Use 催促 for the act of demanding—pressing or urging someone to do or provide something—and 「きつい」 for the adjective sense, describing a task, job, or person that is tough, hard, or severe.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 催促さいそくpressing
• きついtough
• 注文が多いちゅうもんがおおいdemanding
• 注文の多いちゅうもんのおおいdemanding
• 督責とくせきdemanding
• 過激かげきstrenuous (exercise, work, etc.)