exigir
“exigir” means “to demand” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to demand
Also: to insist on, to claim
📝 In Action
Mi jefe me exige que llegue temprano.
B1My boss demands that I arrive early.
Los manifestantes exigen justicia.
B2The protesters demand justice.
Exijo una explicación ahora mismo.
A2I demand an explanation right now.
to require
Also: to call for
📝 In Action
Este deporte exige mucho esfuerzo físico.
B1This sport requires a lot of physical effort.
La situación exige una respuesta inmediata.
B2The situation calls for an immediate response.
Aprender piano exige paciencia.
A2Learning piano requires patience.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
present
imperfect
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: exigir
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'I demand' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'exigere', which meant 'to drive out' or 'to exact/demand'. It was a combination of 'ex' (out) and 'agere' (to drive/do).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'exigir' always negative?
Not at all! It's neutral. It just means that something is required or someone is being very firm. It's often used for positive things like 'exigir respeto' (demanding respect).
Why does the 'g' change to a 'j'?
It's all about keeping the sound consistent. In Spanish, 'gi' sounds like 'hee', but 'go' sounds like 'go' (like 'goat'). To keep the 'hee' sound before an 'o', we must use 'j'.
When should I use 'exigir' instead of 'pedir'?
Use 'pedir' to ask for something normally. Use 'exigir' when you are insisting or when something is absolutely necessary or mandatory.