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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'demand' or 'require' with the verb 要求 (yāoqiú)

    Obligation & Necessity

    Structure

    Subject + 要求 + Someone + Verb

    Explanation

    要求 (yāoqiú) as a verb means 'to demand,' 'to require,' or 'to request.' It is used when one party makes a formal or firm request of another. For example, 要求军方回应 means 'demanded that the military respond.'

    Examples

    • 老师要求我们每天背二十个单词。

      lǎoshī yāoqiú wǒmen měitiān bèi èrshí ge dāncí.

      The teacher requires us to memorize twenty words every day.

    • 客户要求我们在月底之前完成这个项目。

      kèhù yāoqiú wǒmen zài yuèdǐ zhīqián wánchéng zhège xiàngmù.

      The client requires us to finish this project before the end of the month.

    • 妈妈要求他先写完作业再出去玩。

      māma yāoqiú tā xiān xiě wán zuòyè zài chūqù wán.

      Mom told him to finish his homework before going out to play.

    Often Confused With

    Expressing 'demand' or 'require' with the verb 要求 (yāoqiú) | Chinese Grammar