What it's NOT
demand does NOT translate to demandar.
To say "demandar" in English, use to sue.
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False cognate · False friend
demand
Does NOT mean demandar
It means to require / to insist on
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
demand means to require / to insist on.
Why it's confused
Spanish "demandar" means to file a lawsuit before a court. English "demand" means to require something, or the economic demand for a product or service. To sue someone in English is "sue."
How it's pronounced
demanddi-MÁND
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Examples of correct use
English
The workers demand higher pay.
Spanish
Los trabajadores exigen mejor paga.
English
She demanded an explanation.
Spanish
Exigió una explicación.
A trick to remember it
Demand = to require/insist on. To sue (Spanish "demandar") = sue.
Mini quiz
"She demanded an explanation" means she...
Frequently asked questions
What does "demand" mean in English?
"Demand" means "to require / to insist on". It looks a lot like "demandar", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "demandar" in English?
To say "demandar" in English, use "to sue". If you use "demand" instead, you would actually be saying "to require / to insist on".
Do "demand" and "demandar" mean the same thing?
Spanish "demandar" means to file a lawsuit before a court. English "demand" means to require something, or the economic demand for a product or service. To sue someone in English is "sue."
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
Library, embarrassed, actually... the full list of words that look the same but mean something different.
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