fordern
to demand
To demand or claim something emphatically, often because one believes one has a right to it.
EXAMPLE
Die Mitarbeiter fordern eine Gehaltserhöhung von fünf Prozent.
The employees are demanding a five percent pay raise.
fordern
to demand / challenge
fordern – forderte – hat gefordert
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Meanings
fordern
to challenge
To require effort, ability, or attention from someone or something; to challenge.
EXAMPLE
Der neue Job fordert meine ganze Energie.
The new job demands all my energy.
fordern
to claim
To have as a negative consequence; to demand as a victim or price. Usually used in connection with accidents or disasters.
EXAMPLE
Der schwere Sturm forderte mehrere Todesopfer.
The severe storm claimed several lives.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry fordern, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | fordere fordre |
|---|---|
| du | forderst |
| er/sie/es | fordert |
| wir | fordern |
| ihr | fordert |
| sie | fordern |
Simple past
| ich | forderte |
|---|---|
| du | fordertest |
| er/sie/es | forderte |
| wir | forderten |
| ihr | fordertet |
| sie | forderten |
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with haben
| ich | habe gefordert |
|---|---|
| du | hast gefordert |
| er/sie/es | hat gefordert |
| wir | haben gefordert |
| ihr | habt gefordert |
| sie | haben gefordert |
Commands
| du | fordere! forder!, fordre! |
|---|---|
| ihr | fordert! |
| Sie | fordern Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte gefordert |
|---|---|
| du | hattest gefordert |
| er/sie/es | hatte gefordert |
| wir | hatten gefordert |
| ihr | hattet gefordert |
| sie | hatten gefordert |
Future
| ich | werde fordern |
|---|---|
| du | wirst fordern |
| er/sie/es | wird fordern |
| wir | werden fordern |
| ihr | werdet fordern |
| sie | werden fordern |
Subjunctive I
| ich | fordere fordre |
|---|---|
| du | forderst |
| er/sie/es | fordere fordre |
| wir | fordern |
| ihr | fordert |
| sie | fordern |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | forderte |
|---|---|
| du | fordertest |
| er/sie/es | forderte |
| wir | forderten |
| ihr | fordertet |
| sie | forderten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | fordern |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu fordern |
| present participle | fordernd |
| past participle | gefordert |
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'fordern' (to demand/challenge) belongs to the word family of the noun 'die Forderung' (demand). A 'Forderung' is what one demands emphatically.
EXAMPLE
Die Forderung nach besseren Arbeitsbedingungen wurde von allen unterstützt.
The demand for better working conditions was supported by everyone.
Sentence structure when demanding
When demanding something from someone, the structure is often: 'etwas (Akkusativ) von jemandem (Dativ) fordern' (to demand something from someone). Alternatively, a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that) can follow.
EXAMPLE
Die Kunden fordern vom Unternehmen eine Entschuldigung.
The customers are demanding an apology from the company.
As a challenge
In the meaning 'herausfordern' (to challenge), the subject is often a task, job, or problem. Typical objects are then abstract things like 'Konzentration' (concentration), 'Kraft' (strength), 'Kreativität' (creativity), or 'Geduld' (patience).
EXAMPLE
Ein Marathonlauf fordert Ausdauer und mentale Stärke.
Running a marathon demands endurance and mental strength.
Context: accidents & disasters
This meaning is used almost only in connection with negative events such as accidents, wars, or natural disasters. The subject is the event, and the object is usually 'Opfer' (victims), 'Todesopfer' (fatalities), or 'Leben' (lives).
EXAMPLE
Der schwere Verkehrsunfall forderte drei Verletzte.
The serious traffic accident left three people injured.
Compare with
fordern vs bestehen
to pass / consist / exist
Fordern means expressing a claim or wish emphatically. Auf etwas bestehen additionally emphasizes that you are holding on to this demand and do not want to give it up despite objections or other offers.
fordern
Nach dem schlechten Service fordert die Kundin eine vollständige Erstattung.
After the poor service, the customer demanded a full refund.
bestehen
Trotz des Gegenangebots besteht die Kundin auf einer vollständigen Erstattung.
Despite the counteroffer, the customer insists on a full refund.
In real life
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