exiger in 30 Seconds
- Exiger means to demand or require forcefully.
- It is much stronger than the verb 'demander'.
- It often triggers the subjunctive mood in French.
- It is used for rules, laws, and professional standards.
The French verb exiger is a powerful term that transcends a simple request. At its core, it signifies the act of demanding something with authority, necessity, or an uncompromising expectation. Unlike demander (to ask), which can be polite or casual, exiger carries a weight of obligation. It is the linguistic equivalent of drawing a line in the sand. When you use this word, you are stating that the outcome is not optional; it is a requirement that must be met, often backed by a right, a law, or a position of power.
- Etymological Root
- Derived from the Latin exigere, meaning 'to drive out' or 'to exact,' which explains its forceful nature.
- Intensity Level
- High. It implies that failure to comply will result in consequences or that the matter is non-negotiable.
- Social Nuance
- Used carefully in social settings to avoid appearing arrogant, but essential in professional and legal contexts.
"Le client exige un remboursement immédiat car le produit est défectueux."
In a broader sense, exiger is used to describe what a situation or a task requires to be successful. For instance, a difficult job might 'exiger' great concentration. Here, it isn't a person making a demand, but the nature of the task itself that 'exacts' a certain level of effort or skill. This 'situational requirement' is one of the most common ways you will encounter the word in French literature and high-level journalism.
"Cette situation critique exige une attention toute particulière de la part du gouvernement."
The word also plays a role in defining standards. When we talk about les exigences (the requirements/demands), we are referring to the criteria that must be satisfied. A high-end restaurant has high exigences for its staff. This noun form is inextricably linked to the verb, reinforcing the idea of a standard that cannot be lowered.
"La loi exige que tous les citoyens portent une pièce d'identité."
- Synonymic Nuance
- Réclamer is more about claiming a right; Ordonner is a direct command; Exiger is the firm requirement of a condition.
- Common Object
- Often followed by 'le respect', 'la vérité', or 'des excuses'.
"Elle exigeait le silence complet pendant ses heures de travail."
Finally, consider the reflexive form or the passive context. While less common, something can be 'exigé' (required). In academic settings, certain prerequisites are 'exigés' for enrollment. This highlights the word's utility in formal documentation and administrative procedures, where rules are absolute and non-compliance leads to rejection.
"Le succès exige de la persévérance et beaucoup de travail."
- Antonym
- Suggérer (to suggest) or Tolérer (to tolerate), which imply flexibility.
Using exiger correctly requires an understanding of its three primary grammatical structures. Each structure changes how the sentence is built and which moods are required. Mastering these will elevate your French from basic communication to sophisticated expression.
1. Exiger + Direct Object (Noun)
This is the simplest form. You demand a thing. The structure is: [Subject] + [exiger] + [Noun]. This is used for physical objects, abstract concepts, or specific actions represented by nouns.
- J'exige des explications. (I demand explanations.)
- Le patron exige la ponctualité. (The boss demands punctuality.)
2. Exiger que + Subjunctive
This is the most common 'advanced' usage. When you demand that someone else do something, you must use the conjunction que followed by a subject and a verb in the subjunctive mood. This is because exiger expresses a will or a command, which triggers the subjunctive in French.
"Le professeur exige que les élèves fassent leurs devoirs." (The teacher demands that the students do their homework.)
Note that fassent is the subjunctive form of faire. Common mistakes involve using the indicative (font), which sounds incorrect to a native speaker.
3. Exiger de + Infinitive
When the subject of exiger is the same as the subject of the following action, or when you are demanding an action in a general sense, you use de followed by the infinitive. However, this is slightly less common than the first two structures because exiger usually implies a relationship between two parties.
- Il exige d'être remboursé. (He demands to be reimbursed.)
Spelling Alert: The 'G' Rule
Because exiger ends in -ger, it follows a specific spelling rule to maintain the soft 'g' sound (like 'j') before certain vowels. In the nous form of the present tense, and in the imparfait, you must add an 'e' before the 'o' or 'a'.
| Tense | Form | Correct Spelling |
|---|---|---|
| Présent | Nous | exigeons |
| Imparfait | Je/Tu/Il/Ils | exigeais, exigeait... |
Without that extra 'e', it would be pronounced 'exi-gons' (hard 'g' like 'gold'), which is incorrect.
The word exiger is ubiquitous in French life, but its frequency varies depending on the environment. It is rarely used in casual, friendly banter unless someone is being intentionally dramatic or 'bossy' as a joke. Instead, you will find it in the following four pillars of French society.
1. The Professional Environment
In a French office, exiger is used by management to set non-negotiable standards. You might see it in a contract: "Le poste exige une mobilité internationale" (The position requires international mobility). It conveys that the requirement is a core part of the job description.
2. Legal and Administrative Contexts
France is known for its bureaucracy. When dealing with the mairie (town hall) or the préfecture, you will often hear: "La loi exige que vous fournissiez un justificatif de domicile." Here, exiger removes personal bias; it is the law that is making the demand, not the clerk.
3. Customer Service and Rights
French consumers are quite aware of their rights. If a service is poor, a customer might say, "J'exige de parler au responsable" (I demand to speak to the manager). This is a 'power move' used when demander has failed to yield results.
4. News and Media
In political journalism, exiger is a staple. Headlines often read: "Les syndicats exigent une augmentation des salaires" (The unions demand a salary increase). It highlights the conflict and the firm stance of the parties involved.
Even advanced learners trip up on exiger. Because it looks like the English 'exigent' or 'exigency', but functions like 'demand', there are several pitfalls to avoid.
- Mistake 1: Using the Indicative instead of the Subjunctive.
Wrong: J'exige qu'il finit son travail.
Right: J'exige qu'il finisse son travail.
Reason: Exiger is a verb of volition. It imposes a will on another person, which in French grammar necessitates the subjunctive mood. - Mistake 2: Forgetting the 'e' in 'nous exigeons'.
Wrong: Nous exigons le respect.
Right: Nous exigeons le respect.
Reason: Verbs ending in -ger need the 'e' to keep the 'g' soft before 'o' and 'a'. - Mistake 3: Overusing it in polite requests.
If you are at a restaurant and say "J'exige un verre d'eau," you will come across as extremely rude. Use "Je voudrais" or "Puis-je avoir" instead. Exiger is for rights and necessities, not for ordering a drink. - Mistake 4: Confusing it with 'demander'.
Demander is 'to ask'. Exiger is 'to demand'. If you ask a friend for a favor, use demander. If you are a landlord requiring rent, you might exiger payment.
To truly master exiger, you must know its neighbors. French has several verbs for 'wanting' or 'needing' something, each with a different flavor.
- Réclamer
- To claim or ask for something that you feel you are owed. It's often used for rights or rewards. "Il réclame justice."
- Nécessiter
- To necessitate or require. This is more impersonal and objective. "Cette réparation nécessite des outils spéciaux."
- Revendiquer
- To claim responsibility for or to demand a right (often in a political or social context). "Ils revendiquent de meilleures conditions de travail."
- Commander
- To order or command. This is more about giving a direct instruction than stating a requirement.
When choosing between these, ask yourself: Is this a personal demand (exiger), a claim of right (réclamer), or a logical necessity (nécessiter)?
"On peut demander poliment, mais parfois il faut exiger fermement."
How Formal Is It?
Pronunciation Guide
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
The Subjunctive Mood
Verbs ending in -ger
Direct and Indirect Objects
The Passive Voice
Infinitive after prepositions
Examples by Level
Le professeur exige le silence.
The teacher demands silence.
Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.
Maman exige que je mange.
Mom demands that I eat.
Introduction to 'que' + subjunctive.
L'école exige un uniforme.
The school requires a uniform.
Exiger used for rules.
J'exige une réponse.
I demand an answer.
Direct object usage.
Il exige du café noir.
He demands black coffee.
Expressing a strong preference.
Le jeu exige deux joueurs.
The game requires two players.
Exiger as 'to require'.
Elle exige de l'attention.
She demands attention.
Abstract noun as object.
Nous exigeons la paix.
We demand peace.
Note the 'e' in exigeons.
Cet emploi exige de l'expérience.
This job requires experience.
Common professional usage.
Nous exigeons un passeport valide.
We require a valid passport.
Official requirement.
Le patron exige que nous travaillions.
The boss demands that we work.
Subjunctive 'travaillions'.
Elle exige d'être écoutée.
She demands to be listened to.
Exiger + de + infinitive.
La recette exige beaucoup de beurre.
The recipe requires a lot of butter.
Requirement in a process.
Ils exigent un paiement immédiat.
They demand immediate payment.
Commercial context.
Ma santé exige du repos.
My health requires rest.
Internal/physical necessity.
Le règlement exige le port du casque.
The rules require wearing a helmet.
Safety regulation.
J'exige que vous me remboursiez.
I demand that you refund me.
Subjunctive 'remboursiez'.
Cette situation exige une solution rapide.
This situation requires a quick solution.
Abstract requirement.
Le public exige la vérité sur cette affaire.
The public demands the truth about this matter.
Social demand.
Elle est très exigeante avec ses élèves.
She is very demanding with her students.
Adjective form 'exigeante'.
La loi exige que tout le monde vote.
The law requires everyone to vote.
Legal obligation.
Nous exigeons des excuses de sa part.
We demand an apology from him.
Social/moral demand.
Le sport exige une grande discipline.
Sport requires great discipline.
Personal quality requirement.
L'hôtel exige un dépôt de garantie.
The hotel requires a security deposit.
Financial requirement.
Le succès exige que l'on prenne des risques.
Success requires that one takes risks.
Subjunctive 'prenne'.
Les syndicats exigent une revalorisation salariale.
Unions demand a salary increase.
Political/Economic context.
Cette tâche exige une précision chirurgicale.
This task requires surgical precision.
Metaphorical requirement.
La justice exige que le coupable soit puni.
Justice demands that the guilty be punished.
Abstract moral demand.
Le climat exige une action internationale immédiate.
The climate requires immediate international action.
Global necessity.
Il exigeait d'être traité avec respect.
He demanded to be treated with respect.
Imparfait + passive infinitive.
La dignité exige que nous restions calmes.
Dignity requires that we remain calm.
Subjunctive 'restions'.
Le projet exige des ressources considérables.
The project requires considerable resources.
Logistical requirement.
La rigueur scientifique exige une méthodologie stricte.
Scientific rigor requires a strict methodology.
Academic context.
L'œuvre de Proust exige une lecture attentive.
Proust's work requires an attentive reading.
Literary requirement.
Elle exigeait que justice fût faite.
She demanded that justice be done.
Imperfect Subjunctive 'fût' (literary).
Le contexte géopolitique exige une analyse fine.
The geopolitical context requires a fine analysis.
Complex abstract usage.
La liberté exige une vigilance constante.
Liberty requires constant vigilance.
Philosophical demand.
Ce poste exige de grandes capacités d'adaptation.
This position requires great adaptability.
Professional skill requirement.
L'honneur exige que je refuse cette offre.
Honor requires that I refuse this offer.
Moral imperative.
La situation exigeait que nous prissions une décision.
The situation required that we take a decision.
Imperfect Subjunctive 'prissions'.
L'ontologie exige une distinction entre l'être et l'étant.
Ontology requires a distinction between being and that which is.
Philosophical terminology.
Le protocole exige que l'on s'incline devant le roi.
Protocol requires that one bows before the king.
Formal etiquette.
Cette théorie exige d'être confrontée aux faits.
This theory requires being confronted with the facts.
Scientific logic.
La complexité du réel exige de renoncer aux simplismes.
The complexity of reality requires giving up simplifications.
High-level abstract thought.
Le droit exige que la preuve soit irréfutable.
The law requires that the evidence be irrefutable.
Legal standard.
L'art exige un don total de soi.
Art requires a total gift of oneself.
Metaphysical requirement.
La survie de l'espèce exige une mutation profonde.
The survival of the species requires a profound mutation.
Biological necessity.
L'exigence de vérité est au cœur de sa démarche.
The demand for truth is at the heart of his approach.
Noun form in a complex sentence.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
To exaggerate vs to demand.
To excite vs to demand.
To exile vs to demand.
To exist vs to demand.
To expire vs to demand.
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Exiger is objective; it focuses on the requirement. Ordonner is subjective; it focuses on the person giving the command.
Common in writing, moderate in speech.
-
J'exige qu'il vient.
Use the subjunctive after 'exiger que'.
-
Nous exigons.
Add the 'e' to keep the 'g' soft.
-
Exiger un café au serveur.
Exiger is too strong for a simple order.
-
Il est trop exigent.
The adjective ends in -eant, not -ent.
-
J'exige à lui.
The preposition is 'de' when demanding from someone.
Tips
Subjunctive Alert
Whenever you see 'exiger que', the next verb MUST be in the subjunctive mood. This is a classic test for B1 learners.
The Silent E
In 'nous exigeons', the 'e' is silent but essential for the correct pronunciation of the 'g'.
Noun Form
Learn 'une exigence'. It's a very common word in job postings and academic requirements.
Tone Check
Use 'exiger' when you have authority. If you don't, you might sound arrogant or rude.
Job Requirements
When reading job descriptions, look for 'exigé'. It means that skill is mandatory, not optional.
Formal Letters
In a letter of complaint, 'J'exige un remboursement' is a standard way to show you are serious.
Emphasis
Native speakers often stress the 'xi' in 'exiger' to show how serious they are.
News Context
In news headlines, 'exiger' is often used for groups (unions, countries) making demands.
Logical Necessity
Use 'exiger' to describe what a situation needs to work, like 'La paix exige le dialogue'.
Latin Roots
Remember 'exigere' (to exact). It helps you remember that the word is about getting exactly what is needed.
Memorize It
Word Origin
Latin 'exigere'
Cultural Context
Unions often 'exigent' changes in labor laws.
Teachers are often described as 'exigeants'.
Using 'exiger' in a shop is considered very aggressive.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"Qu'est-ce que tu exiges chez un ami ?"
"Est-ce que ton patron est trop exigeant ?"
"Quelles sont les qualités exigées pour ton métier ?"
"As-tu déjà dû exiger un remboursement ?"
"La loi devrait-elle exiger le vote obligatoire ?"
Journal Prompts
Décris une situation où tu as dû exiger quelque chose.
Es-tu exigeant envers toi-même ? Pourquoi ?
Qu'est-ce que la société exige des jeunes aujourd'hui ?
Quelles sont les exigences d'une vie heureuse selon toi ?
Imagine que tu es un roi : qu'exiges-tu de ton peuple ?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsOnly when there is a 'que' and a change of subject. If you demand to do something yourself, use 'de' + infinitive.
No, it is generally too strong for politeness. Use 'demander' or 'souhaiter' instead.
'Exiger' is a demand for something necessary or required. 'Réclamer' is a demand for something you think you deserve or have a right to.
It is 'nous exigeons'. Don't forget the 'e'!
It can be both. A 'professeur exigeant' is strict but good. A 'client exigeant' might be annoying.
Yes, e.g., 'Cette plante exige beaucoup d'eau'.
The past participle is 'exigé'.
It is 'exiger de quelqu'un' (to demand of someone) or 'exiger de faire' (to demand to do).
It's common in formal situations, news, and when people are upset.
No, it must be 'J'exige que tu sois là' (subjunctive).
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Summary
Exiger is the verb of 'no compromise'. Use it when something is a strict requirement, a legal obligation, or a non-negotiable demand, and remember to use the subjunctive when demanding an action from someone else.
- Exiger means to demand or require forcefully.
- It is much stronger than the verb 'demander'.
- It often triggers the subjunctive mood in French.
- It is used for rules, laws, and professional standards.
Subjunctive Alert
Whenever you see 'exiger que', the next verb MUST be in the subjunctive mood. This is a classic test for B1 learners.
The Silent E
In 'nous exigeons', the 'e' is silent but essential for the correct pronunciation of the 'g'.
Noun Form
Learn 'une exigence'. It's a very common word in job postings and academic requirements.
Tone Check
Use 'exiger' when you have authority. If you don't, you might sound arrogant or rude.
Example
Le professeur exige le respect des règles.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More work words
à distance
A2Remotely, from a distance; not in person or on site.
à durée déterminée
B1For a fixed or definite period; fixed-term.
à durée indéterminée
B1For an indefinite period; permanent (e.g., contract).
à la fin
A2At the end, at the conclusion of something.
à la journée
B1Daily, by the day.
à la semaine
B1Weekly, by the week.
à l'année
B1Annually, by the year.
à l'attention de
B1Directed to; for the attention of.
à l'avance
A2In advance; beforehand.
à l'issue de
A2At the end of, following; upon the conclusion of.
