to request
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to request
To ask someone for something, or to ask someone to do something, politely but formally and emphatically. This verb is used mainly in administrative, legal, and diplomatic language and is much more formal than 'bitten' (to ask).
Wir ersuchen Sie, den Betrag innerhalb von 14 Tagen zu überweisen.
We request that you transfer the amount within 14 days.
'Ersuchen' is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'er-' changes the meaning of the base verb 'suchen' (to search) to 'nachdrücklich bitten' (to request emphatically).
Die Behörde hat ihn um eine Stellungnahme ersucht.
The authority requested a statement from him.
This verb is very formal and is used almost exclusively in administrative, legal, or diplomatic language. It is unusual in everyday speech.
Das Gericht ersuchte den Zeugen, seine Aussage zu wiederholen.
The court requested that the witness repeat his statement.
There are two typical constructions: you can say 'jemanden um etwas (Akkusativ) ersuchen' (to request something from someone) or 'jemanden ersuchen, etwas zu tun' (to request someone to do something, with a zu-infinitive).
Wir ersuchen Sie um die sofortige Rücksendung der Dokumente.
We request that you return the documents immediately.
to ask / request
„Bitten“ is the neutral verb for a polite request. „Ersuchen“ also expresses a polite request, but sounds much more formal and often belongs to official language. „Bitten“ is usually the better choice in everyday situations; „ersuchen“ can be appropriate in official letters.
In dem amtlichen Schreiben ersucht die Behörde Sie, das Formular bis Freitag zurückzusenden.
In the official letter, the authority requests that you return the form by Friday.
In meiner E-Mail bitte ich Sie, das Formular bis Freitag zurückzusenden.
In my email, I am asking you to return the form by Friday.
