Meet 求 in 求める, 要求 and 請求. Read each complete word in its context.

The idea

求 has 7 strokes; follow the linked KanjiVG diagram. Compare 求める（もとめる） and 要求（ようきゅう）: learn each reading with the whole word.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
求めるもとめるShe asked the teacher for help.
要求ようきゅうI demanded an explanation from the company.
請求せいきゅうThe electricity bill arrived.

Examples

  • 彼女かのじょは先生せんせいに助たすけを求もとめました。She asked the teacher for help.
  • 私わたしたちはもっと良よい方法ほうほうを求もとめています。We are seeking a better method.
  • 会社かいしゃに説明せつめいを要求ようきゅうしました。I demanded an explanation from the company.
  • 無理むりな要求ようきゅうは受うけ入いれられません。We cannot accept an unreasonable demand.
  • 電気代でんきだいの請求せいきゅうが届とどきました。The electricity bill arrived.
  • 相手あいてに修理代しゅうりだいを請求せいきゅうしました。I charged the other party for the repair costs.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

求める can mean seeking or asking for something. 要求 is a demand, while 請求 often refers to a formal claim or request for payment.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 求める in hiragana.

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    もとめる

    求める is read もとめる. In context: She asked the teacher for help.

  2. Write the reading of 要求 in hiragana.

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    ようきゅう

    要求 is read ようきゅう. In context: I demanded an explanation from the company.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: 請＿（せいきゅう）.

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    求

    求 completes 請求, read せいきゅう. In context: The electricity bill arrived.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 求 from memory, and read 求める and 要求 aloud. Then make a sentence with one of them.