Meaning of 要求
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to request
- to require
- requirement
- to stake a claim
- to ask
- to demand
Measure word: 點|点
How to use 要求
要求 works as a verb meaning to ask or require someone to do something, and as a noun meaning a requirement or standard. It is common in school, work, and official contexts. Example: 老师要求我们每天读书。(Lǎoshī yāoqiú wǒmen měitiān dúshū.) The teacher requires us to read every day.
要 (yào) means to want, and 求 (qiú) means to seek or beg. When you want something and actively seek it from someone, you are making a 要求, a request or demand.
Common mistake: In 要求 the 要 is read in the first tone, yāo, not the usual fourth tone yào you know from 要 (want) or 重要 (zhòngyào). Learners often say yàoqiú, which sounds wrong to native ears.
要求 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
要 yào · to want · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
求 qiú · to seek · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Related words
Words that share a character with 要求.
| 重要 | zhòngyào | important; significant; major |
| 不要 | bùyào | don't!; must not |
| 只要 | zhǐyào | so long as; provided; if |
| 就要 | jiùyào | will; shall |
| 主要 | zhǔyào | main; principal; major; primary |
| 请求 | qǐngqiú | to request; to ask; request (CL:個|个[ge4]) |
| 快要 | kuàiyào | nearly at the point of (doing sth); about to (do sth) |
| 需要 | xūyào | to need; to want; to demand; to require; needs |
| 要是 | yàoshi | (coll.) if |
| 必要 | bìyào | necessary; essential |
| 需求 | xūqiú | requirement; to require |
| 不要紧 | bùyàojǐn | unimportant; not serious |
Questions about 要求
What does 要求 mean?
要求 (yāoqiú) means "to request; to require" and is used as a verb and noun.
How do you write 要求?
要求 is made of 2 characters: 要 (9 strokes), 求 (7 strokes). That is 16 strokes in total.
Is 要求 an HSK word?
Yes. 要求 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 要求 and 请求?
请求 (qǐngqiú) is a polite request, often asking for help or permission. 要求 is firmer and can mean a demand or a set requirement, so it fits rules, standards, and expectations better.
How do I say someone has high standards using 要求?
Use 要求很高 (yāoqiú hěn gāo). For example, 他对自己要求很高 (tā duì zìjǐ yāoqiú hěn gāo) means he has high standards for himself. The pattern 对 someone 要求 is very common.