Use 求める in situations ranging from a job search to a formal request.

The idea

求める is an ichidan verb. Mark what is sought or requested with を; when requesting something from a person or institution, mark that recipient with に. It can express a search, a desire for an abstract goal, or a demand.

Patterns to compare
Dictionary formPolite non-pastPolite negativePolite pastて form
求める求めます求めません求めました求めて

Examples

  • 彼かれは新あたらしい仕事しごとを求もとめています。He is seeking a new job.
  • 市民しみんは市長しちょうに説明せつめいを求もとめました。The citizens demanded an explanation from the mayor.
  • 会社かいしゃは経験けいけんのある人ひとを求もとめています。The company is looking for someone with experience.
  • 私わたしたちは平和へいわを求もとめています。We seek peace.
  • 先生せんせいは学生がくせいに意見いけんを求もとめました。The teacher asked the students for their opinions.
  • 困こまったときは専門家せんもんかに助言じょげんを求もとめます。When I have a problem, I ask a specialist for advice.

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Watch out

求める can sound formal or forceful in requests. For an everyday polite request, お願いする may be more natural. Seeking something does not mean it has been found.

Try it yourself

  1. 求もとめる → ます：＿

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    求めます

    求めます is the polite non-past: remove る and add ます.

  2. 求もとめる → て：＿

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    求めて

    求めて is the て form: remove る and add て.

  3. 市民しみんは市長しちょう＿説明せつめいを求もとめました。（に／を）

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    に

    に marks the mayor as the person from whom an explanation is requested; を marks the explanation.

Use it today

Write a sentence requesting advice from someone, then identify the person marked by に and the thing marked by を.