要求 in 30 Sekunden
- 要求 (yōkyū) means 'demand' or 'requirement' and is used in formal, business, or technical contexts to express a strong need.
- It is more forceful than 'onegai' and implies an entitlement or a necessary condition that must be satisfied for a process to continue.
- Commonly used in phrases like 'meeting requirements' (要求に応える) or 'system requirements' (システム要求) in IT and engineering fields.
- As a verb (要求する), it describes the act of demanding something like an apology, a raise, or a specific set of technical specifications.
The Japanese word 要求 (ようきゅう - yōkyū) is a powerful noun that translates primarily to 'demand,' 'request,' or 'requirement.' At its core, it represents the act of asking for something with a high degree of necessity or entitlement. Unlike a casual favor (お願い - onegai) or a simple wish (希望 - kibō), a 要求 carries the weight of an expectation that must be met. It is frequently used in professional, legal, and social contexts where one party asserts their right to a specific outcome or resource.
- Etymological Breakdown
- The first kanji, 要 (yō), means 'essential' or 'needed.' The second kanji, 求 (kyū), means 'to seek' or 'to request.' Together, they form the concept of 'seeking what is essential.'
- Degree of Force
- In the spectrum of Japanese requests, 要求 sits on the more forceful end. It implies that the person asking has a legitimate reason or authority to do so.
- Grammatical Function
- While primarily a noun, it can be turned into a verb by adding 'suru' (要求する), meaning 'to demand' or 'to require.'
労働組合は賃上げを要求した。(Rōdō kumiai wa chin-age o yōkyū shita.)
この仕事は高い技術を要求する。(Kono shigoto wa takai gijutsu o yōkyū suru.)
顧客の要求に応える。(Kokyaku no yōkyū ni kotaeru.)
無理な要求は断るべきだ。(Muri na yōkyū wa kotowaru beki da.)
システムへの要求仕様書。(Shisutemu e no yōkyū shiyōsho.)
- Synonym Comparison
- 請求 (Seikyū): Specifically for billing or legal claims. 要望 (Yōbō): A strong desire or wish, slightly softer than a demand.
Understanding 要求 is vital for navigating Japanese society, especially in business. It helps distinguish between what is 'nice to have' and what is 'mandatory.' Whether it is a teacher requiring homework or a citizen demanding better services, this word captures the tension and necessity of human interaction where needs are asserted.
Using 要求 (yōkyū) correctly involves understanding its weight. It is not a word used lightly in casual conversation between friends. Instead, it appears in structured environments. Here is a guide on how to integrate it into your Japanese vocabulary effectively.
1. As a Noun
When used as a noun, it often follows the pattern [Target] + の + 要求. For example, 'the company's demand' is 会社の要求 (kaisha no yōkyū). It is frequently the object of verbs like 'meet' (応える - kotaeru), 'accept' (受け入れる - ukeireru), or 'refuse' (拒否する - kyohisuru).
2. As a Suru-Verb
Adding する (suru) allows you to express the action of demanding. The structure is [Item/Action] + を + 要求する. For example, 'to demand an apology' is 謝罪を要求する (shazai o yōkyū suru). This is common in news reports and formal complaints.
3. Requirements in Technical Fields
In engineering or IT, 要求 refers to technical requirements. You will see terms like 要求分析 (yōkyū bunseki - requirements analysis). In this context, it is neutral and objective, devoid of the emotional 'demand' nuance.
彼は私に説明を要求した。(Kare wa watashi ni setsumei o yōkyū shita.)
You will encounter 要求 (yōkyū) in various specific settings. Recognizing these will help you grasp the word's practical application.
- News and Media: Reports on strikes, political negotiations, or international relations often use 要求 to describe what one nation or group wants from another.
- Business Meetings: When discussing project scopes or client needs, managers will talk about 'client requirements' (クライアントの要求).
- Legal and Police Dramas: Characters might 'demand' a lawyer or 'demand' the truth during an interrogation.
- Gaming and Software: System requirements are listed as システム要求 (shisutemu yōkyū).
犯人は身代金を要求している。(Hannin wa minoshirokin o yōkyū shite iru.)
In daily life, you might hear it in customer service contexts, though usually in the negative sense—referring to a 'difficult customer' making 'unreasonable demands' (無理な要求).
Learners often confuse 要求 (yōkyū) with other similar words. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid.
- Mistake 1: Using it for polite requests
- Saying 'コーヒーを要求します' (Kōhī o yōkyū shimasu) to a waiter is extremely rude. It sounds like you are making a formal demand for coffee. Use 'お願いします' (onegaishimasu) instead.
- Mistake 2: Confusing with 請求 (Seikyū)
- While both can mean 'demand,' 請求 is almost exclusively for money or formal legal claims. You 'seikyū' a payment, but you 'yōkyū' an improvement in working conditions.
- Mistake 3: Confusing with 必要 (Hitsuyō)
- 必要 means 'necessity' or 'need' (noun/adjective). 要求 is the *act* of asking for that need. You have a 'need' (hitsuyō) for water, but the thirsty person 'demands' (yōkyū) water.
To truly master 要求 (yōkyū), you should know its neighbors in the Japanese vocabulary landscape.
- 要望 (Yōbō): A strong wish or desire. It is more polite than 要求 and often used by citizens toward the government or by employees toward management. It implies 'we would really like this' rather than 'we demand this.'
- 請求 (Seikyū): A claim or demand for payment. If you get a bill in the mail, it is a 請求書 (seikyūsho).
- 要請 (Yōsei): A formal appeal or request, often from an official body. For example, the government 'requesting' citizens to stay home during a state of emergency.
- 注文 (Chūmon): An order (like at a restaurant) or a specific instruction.
市民の要望を聞く。(Shimin no yōbō o kiku.)
Choosing the right word depends on the level of authority and the 'hardness' of the request.
How Formal Is It?
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
〜を要求する (Direct object demand)
〜に〜を要求する (Demand something from someone)
要求される (Passive: to be required)
要求に応えて (In response to a demand)
要求通りの (Exactly as requested/demanded)
Beispiele nach Niveau
これは私の要求です。
This is my demand/requirement.
Simple A is B structure.
要求は何ですか？
What is the requirement?
Question form.
テストの要求は高いです。
The test requirements are high.
Adjective modifying the noun.
彼は要求が多い。
He has many demands.
Describing a person's trait.
要求を書きます。
I will write the requirements.
Object + verb.
要求を聞いてください。
Please listen to the demand.
Requesting an action.
それは無理な要求です。
That is an impossible demand.
Na-adjective + noun.
新しい要求があります。
There is a new requirement.
Existence verb.
客の要求に応えます。
I will meet the customer's demands.
Particle 'ni' with 'kotaeru'.
彼は謝罪を要求しました。
He demanded an apology.
Suru-verb in past tense.
ビザの要求を確認する。
Check the visa requirements.
Noun phrase as object.
強い要求を感じる。
I feel a strong demand.
Adjective + noun.
会社に改善を要求する。
Demand improvements from the company.
Target + ni + object + o + suru.
要求を受け入れますか？
Will you accept the demand?
Compound verb 'ukeireru'.
要求を紙にまとめました。
I summarized the requirements on paper.
Verb 'matomeru'.
親の要求は厳しい。
Parents' demands are strict.
Possessive 'no'.
労働条件の改善を要求するストライキ。
A strike demanding better working conditions.
Noun modifying another noun.
市場の要求を分析する必要があります。
We need to analyze market requirements.
Compound noun 'yōkyū bunseki'.
そのソフトは高いスペックを要求する。
That software requires high specs.
Abstract demand (requirement).
一方的な要求は受け入れられない。
One-sided demands cannot be accepted.
Potential form negative.
ユーザーの要求を反映させたデザイン。
A design that reflects user requirements.
Relative clause.
彼は無理難題を要求してきた。
He came to us demanding the impossible.
Verb + kuru (directional).
要求を満たすために努力する。
Effort to satisfy the requirements.
Verb 'mitasu' (to satisfy/fill).
最低限の要求を提示する。
Present the minimum requirements.
Noun 'saiteigen' (minimum).
法的な要求を遵守しなければならない。
We must comply with legal requirements.
Verb 'junshu suru' (comply).
時代の要求に応じた教育改革。
Educational reform in response to the demands of the times.
Set phrase 'jidai no yōkyū'.
過剰な要求が社員のストレスになっている。
Excessive demands are causing stress for employees.
Subject as a cause.
品質管理において厳しい要求が課される。
Strict requirements are imposed in quality control.
Passive voice 'kasareru'.
相手の要求をはねつける。
To flatly reject the other party's demand.
Verb 'hanetsukeru'.
要求仕様書の作成に取り掛かる。
Start working on the requirement specification document.
Compound noun.
彼は権利として正当な要求をした。
He made a legitimate demand as a right.
Adverbial 'toshite'.
システムの要求事項を確認してください。
Please check the system requirement items.
Noun 'jikō' (items/matters).
社会正義の要求に耳を傾ける。
Listen to the demands of social justice.
Metaphorical use.
自己実現の要求は人間の本能である。
The demand for self-actualization is a human instinct.
Psychological context.
その条約は厳しい環境基準を要求している。
The treaty demands strict environmental standards.
Formal document subject.
妥協を許さない要求が交渉を難航させた。
Uncompromising demands made the negotiations stall.
Relative clause with 'yurusanai'.
美的な要求を満たす建築デザイン。
Architectural design that satisfies aesthetic requirements.
Abstract noun 'biteki'.
歴史の要求に従って行動する。
Act in accordance with the demands of history.
Philosophical phrasing.
情報の開示を強く要求する。
Strongly demand the disclosure of information.
Adverb 'tsuyoku'.
身体的な要求を無視して働き続ける。
Continue working while ignoring physical demands.
Noun 'shintaiteki'.
存在論的な要求としての真理探究。
The pursuit of truth as an ontological requirement.
Highly academic terminology.
民衆の要求が革命の原動力となった。
The demands of the people became the driving force of the revolution.
Historical analysis.
国家の安全保障上の要求を優先する。
Prioritize the requirements of national security.
Political/Strategic context.
言論の自由という根源的な要求。
The fundamental demand for freedom of speech.
Apposition 'to iu'.
市場原理の要求に翻弄される労働者。
Workers at the mercy of the demands of market principles.
Passive 'honrō sareru'.
論理的な一貫性を要求する学術論文。
An academic paper that demands logical consistency.
Scientific/Academic context.
資本の要求と環境保護の対立。
The conflict between the demands of capital and environmental protection.
Economic theory context.
内面的な要求に従い、彼は芸術に身を投じた。
Following his inner demands, he devoted himself to art.
Literary/Biographical context.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Seikyū is for money/bills; Yōkyū is for actions/items/conditions.
Yōbō is a wish/hope; Yōkyū is a demand/requirement.
Yōsei is an official/formal appeal, often from government to public.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
So verwendest du es
要求 is objective and forceful. It focuses on the 'what' and the 'right' to have it.
High. Not suitable for casual requests for salt at the dinner table.
- Using 要求 instead of お願い for a small favor.
- Confusing 要求 (demand) with 欲求 (internal desire).
- Using the wrong particle (e.g., using 'と' instead of 'に' for the target).
- Forgetting the long vowels (saying 'yoku' instead of 'yōkyū').
- Using 要求 in a situation where you have no authority to demand anything.
Tipps
Use in Business
When defining project goals, use 要求 to clarify what is mandatory. It ensures everyone understands the non-negotiable parts of the project. This prevents scope creep later on. It is a sign of professional clarity.
Soften the Blow
If you must make a demand, use '要望' (yōbō) instead of '要求'. It sounds like a strong suggestion rather than an ultimatum. This helps maintain 'Wa' (harmony). It is better for long-term relationships.
Particle Choice
Remember to use 'に' for the person you are asking. '彼に説明を要求する' (Demand an explanation from him). Using 'から' is also possible but 'に' is more common for direct demands. Practice this structure to avoid confusion.
Kanji Meaning
Focus on the 'Seek' (求) part. This kanji is also in 'search' (検索) and 'pursue' (追求). It implies an active effort to get something. Knowing this helps you remember the 'active' nature of the word.
Directness
Japanese culture is usually indirect, but 要求 is a direct word. Only use it when directness is required. It is common in legal documents and news. It is rare in polite daily conversation.
IT Terms
Learn '要求定義' (Requirements Definition). It is a standard phase in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) in Japan. Knowing this will help you in any Japanese tech job. It is often abbreviated as 'RD'.
Formal Essays
Use 要求 to describe what a situation necessitates. For example, 'Climate change demands action.' This is a sophisticated way to use the word. It moves beyond just people asking for things.
News Keywords
When you hear '要求' on the news, look for the word '拒否' (refusal) or '受諾' (acceptance) right after. This tells you the outcome of the negotiation. It is a common pattern in reporting.
The 'Yo' Sound
The 'Yo' in 要求 is the same as in 'Yōyaku' (summary). Think of a demand as a 'summary' of what you need. This links two common 'Yō' words together. It helps with phonetic recall.
Intonation
Keep the pitch flat (Heiban). If you stress the 'kyu' too much, it might sound like a different word. A flat, steady delivery sounds more authoritative. This matches the serious nature of the word.
Einprägen
Wortherkunft
Sino-Japanese (Kango)
Kultureller Kontext
Directly using '要求する' in a personal disagreement is a sign that the relationship has reached a breaking point.
When receiving a '要求' from a Japanese client, it is often framed as a 'consultation' (相談) first, but the underlying expectation is that it is a requirement.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"仕事で一番大変な要求は何ですか？ (What is the most difficult requirement in your job?)"
"最近、誰かに何かを要求されましたか？ (Have you been demanded anything by someone recently?)"
"理想のパートナーに何を要求しますか？ (What do you require in an ideal partner?)"
"この国の政府に何を要求したいですか？ (What do you want to demand from this country's government?)"
"子供の頃、親にどんな要求をしましたか？ (What kind of demands did you make to your parents as a child?)"
Tagebuch-Impulse
自分自身に対する要求が高すぎると感じたことはありますか？ (Have you ever felt your demands on yourself are too high?)
社会が私たちに要求している役割について書いてください。 (Write about the roles society requires of us.)
もし一つだけ要求が通るとしたら、何を要求しますか？ (If only one demand could be accepted, what would you demand?)
「要求」と「わがまま」の違いは何だと思いますか？ (What do you think is the difference between a 'demand' and 'selfishness'?)
仕事の要求仕様書を書く時の苦労について。 (About the struggles of writing a requirement specification document.)
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt can be. In a personal context, it sounds very demanding. In a business or technical context, it is perfectly normal and professional. Use it carefully based on the relationship.
Yes, 'システム要求' (System Yōkyū) or '動作環境' (Dōsa Kankyō) are the standard terms used in the tech industry.
要求 (Yōkyū) is an external demand or requirement. 欲求 (Yokkyū) is an internal psychological desire or urge, like the 'desire for sleep'.
You can say '要求を満たす' (yōkyū o mitasu) or '要求に応える' (yōkyū ni kotaeru). Both are common in professional settings.
Yes, a coach might '要求' (demand) a high level of discipline from the players, or a player might '要求' (call for) the ball.
Yes, for example, '要求吠え' (yōkyū-boe) refers to a dog barking because it wants something (food, a walk).
It's a Japanese term for parents who make '無理な要求' (unreasonable demands) on school teachers and staff.
It is generally considered N3 level, but it appears frequently in N2 and N1 materials due to its importance in formal Japanese.
No, for that you use 'リクエスト' (rikuesuto). 要求 sounds too aggressive for a radio request.
It is a 'Requirement Specification Document,' a key document in software engineering that lists what a system must do.
Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
要求 is the 'serious' version of asking. Use it when you are talking about rights, contracts, technical needs, or strong social demands. Avoid it for casual favors to keep your Japanese sounding natural and polite.
- 要求 (yōkyū) means 'demand' or 'requirement' and is used in formal, business, or technical contexts to express a strong need.
- It is more forceful than 'onegai' and implies an entitlement or a necessary condition that must be satisfied for a process to continue.
- Commonly used in phrases like 'meeting requirements' (要求に応える) or 'system requirements' (システム要求) in IT and engineering fields.
- As a verb (要求する), it describes the act of demanding something like an apology, a raise, or a specific set of technical specifications.
Use in Business
When defining project goals, use 要求 to clarify what is mandatory. It ensures everyone understands the non-negotiable parts of the project. This prevents scope creep later on. It is a sign of professional clarity.
Soften the Blow
If you must make a demand, use '要望' (yōbō) instead of '要求'. It sounds like a strong suggestion rather than an ultimatum. This helps maintain 'Wa' (harmony). It is better for long-term relationships.
Particle Choice
Remember to use 'に' for the person you are asking. '彼に説明を要求する' (Demand an explanation from him). Using 'から' is also possible but 'に' is more common for direct demands. Practice this structure to avoid confusion.
Kanji Meaning
Focus on the 'Seek' (求) part. This kanji is also in 'search' (検索) and 'pursue' (追求). It implies an active effort to get something. Knowing this helps you remember the 'active' nature of the word.
Beispiel
要求が高いです。
Verwandte Inhalte
Dieses Wort in anderen Sprachen
Mehr Social Wörter
承認
A1Der Akt der offiziellen Annahme oder Genehmigung von etwas, wie einer Anfrage oder einem Plan. Es wird häufig in formellen oder beruflichen Kontexten verwendet, um anzuzeigen, dass eine Behörde grünes Licht gegeben hat.
帰属
C1Die Zugehörigkeit zu einer Gruppe oder die rechtliche Zurechnung von Rechten.
意識
A1Der Patient verlor nach dem Unfall das Bewusstsein.
裏切り
A1Der Akt des Vertrauensbruchs oder der Untreue. Es bedeutet oft, einem Feind zu helfen oder gegen die Interessen von jemandem zu handeln.
お辞儀
A1Die traditionelle japanische Verbeugung, die Respekt, Dankbarkeit oder Entschuldigung ausdrückt.
使命
A1Es ist meine Mission, den Frieden in dieser Region zu bewahren.
配慮
A1Rücksichtnahme und Aufmerksamkeit gegenüber den Gefühlen und Bedürfnissen anderer.
慎重
A1Die Eigenschaft, sehr vorsichtig zu sein und unnötige Risiken zu vermeiden. Es beschreibt eine Denkweise der gründlichen Überlegung.
争い
A1Ein Konflikt, Streit oder Wettbewerb zwischen zwei oder mehr Parteien. Es bezieht sich auf einen Zustand, in dem Menschen uneins sind oder um etwas kämpfen.
抗争
A1Ein ernster Kampf oder Konflikt zwischen gegnerischen Gruppen, Fraktionen oder Organisationen.
