Meaning

Primary

To Want Something

Alternatives

To Request Something, To Demand Something

Word Type

transitive verb, ichidan verb

Explanation

What's the verb form of request? It's to request. It also is for when you want something (to want something), because if you're going to request something, you probably want it.

Reading

もとめる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you: What is it that you want? You want a moat (もと) around your home. Your neighbor's cats keep pooping on your lawn, but if you had a moat they wouldn't be able to get to your lawn in the first place, since cats hate water (and alligators). You request a moat!

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 国に求める

    to ask the government

    日本に求める

    to want something from Japan

    相手に求める

    to want something from a partner, to ask a partner for something

Context Sentences

社長交代を求めるメールを送りました。

I sent an email asking for the replacement of the company president.

父は、いつも新しいビジネスアイディアを求めている。

My father is always looking for a new business idea.

漢字を学ぶためのツールを求めるお客さんには、このワニカニってアプリをオススメしてるよ。

For customers seeking a tool for learning kanji, I recommend this app called WaniKani.

今日だけで返金を求める電話が二十回ありました。

We had twenty calls asking for a refund just today.

Kanji Composition