demandar

to sue

verb deh-mahn-DAHR Less Common

Also means

to demand

Usage Note

Demandar is a false friend: it does NOT mean 'to demand' (use exigir) but primarily 'to sue' or 'to file a lawsuit against someone'. The noun demanda similarly means 'lawsuit' (as well as 'demand' in an economic sense — oferta y demanda). In Latin American usage demandar does occasionally carry the sense of 'to require/demand', but 'to sue' is the dominant meaning.

Examples

"Decidió demandar a la empresa por despido improcedente."

Natural Translation

She decided to sue the company for unfair dismissal.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

You're Welcome in Spanish: Beyond De Nada

You're welcome in Spanish is more than de nada. Learn con gusto, no hay de qué, a la orden and more — and which to use by region and how formal the moment is.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Accent Marks: 3 Rules for Every Word

A Spanish word needs an accent mark in just three cases: it breaks the default stress, it's a homophone, or a weak vowel splits off. Here are all three rules.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Subjunctive Explained Simply for Beginners

The Spanish subjunctive is a mood, not a tense — use it after a WEIRDO trigger plus que. Learn the one rule, the yo-form recipe, and the lines you already say.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

How to Tell Time in Spanish: A Beginner's Guide

Tell time in Spanish with one formula: es la una vs son las, y and menos for minutes, plus de la mañana, en punto, and 24-hour station times.

June 9, 2026 5 min read