The Meaning of youkyuu [要求] In Japanese

要求
ようきゅう
Romaji: youkyuu N3

What does 要求 mean?

Translation and Meaning

demand, request, requirement

Definition

What does 要求 mean? It denotes a demand or a strong request made with expectation of fulfillment, often in formal, contractual, or authoritative contexts. It covers situations where one party asserts a need or obligation that others are expected to meet, rather than a casual plea.

Type

noun (名詞); can also form the verb 要求する to mean to demand or to require

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • 1) Formal demand in official or contractual contexts
  • 2) Common word for a requirement or prerequisite in a specification or system
  • 3) A stronger, insistent request implying obligation or expectation

Etymology

要 meaning need or essential, 求 meaning to seek or request; the pronunciation ようきゅう (youkyuu) arises from the typical Sino-Japanese readings of the two kanji, forming a compound that encapsulates necessity and solicitation

Composition

  • 要 — ‘need, essential’ contributes the sense of necessity
  • 求 — ‘to seek, request’ contributes the sense of asking
  • Together they form 要求, denoting a demand or request

Usage

Used as a noun to express a demand, a requirement, or a formal request; in business, law, or administration it appears in official documents with a sense of obligation; the verb form 要求する to mean to demand or to require; in everyday language softer options include 要望 or 願う for milder requests
💡 Tips
Visualize a locked door (要) that requires action, and a hand reaching out (求) to obtain what is needed; remember youkyuu sounds like you cue — you cue others to provide what is needed

Variations

  • 要望 (youbou) — softer request or appeal
  • 要請 (yosei) — formal request or appeal
  • 請求 (seikyuu) — billing demand or claim

Example Phrases

  • 上司の 要求に 応える ため、 迅速に 計画を 立てた。
    Jōshi no yōkyū ni kotaeru tame, jinsoku ni keikaku o tateta.
    To meet my boss’s demands, I quickly drew up a plan.
    Lista:
    • 上司の (jōshi no) – boss’s
    • 要求に (yōkyū ni) – to the demand
    • 応える (kotaeru) – to respond
    • ため、 (tame) – for the purpose of
    • 迅速に (jinsoku ni) – quickly
    • 計画を (keikaku o) – plan
    • 立てた (tateta) – drew up
    The noun 「要求」 means ‘demand’ or ‘request’. Here it shows possession with 「上司の」 and takes 「に」 to mark the target of 「応える」.
要求