demanding
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demanding
Describes a person, task, or situation that requires a lot of effort, attention, or performance and is therefore challenging or exhausting.
Ihr neuer Job als Projektmanagerin ist sehr fordernd.
Her new job as a project manager is very demanding.
The word 'fordernd' is the present participle of the verb 'fordern' (to demand). So it describes a quality that actively demands something or makes effort necessary.
Das ist ein sehr forderndes Buch, man muss sich stark konzentrieren.
This is a very demanding book; you have to concentrate hard.
Like many adjectives, 'fordernd' (demanding/insistent) can stand before a noun or be used with verbs like 'sein' (to be) or 'wirken' (to seem/appear) to describe a quality.
Er hat einen sehr fordernden Charakter.
He has a very demanding character.
In the meaning 'anspruchsvoll' (challenging/demanding), 'fordernd' is often combined with people, tasks, or activities. Typical phrases are 'ein fordernder Chef' (a demanding boss), 'eine fordernde Aufgabe' (a demanding task), or 'ein forderndes Training' (a demanding workout/training session).
Ein Marathonlauf ist eine körperlich sehr fordernde Herausforderung.
A marathon is a physically very demanding challenge.
When an immediate response is being demanded, 'fordernd' often describes a type of communication. Common combinations are 'ein fordernder Blick' (an insistent look), 'eine fordernde Geste' (an insistent gesture), or 'ein fordernder Tonfall' (an insistent tone of voice).
Das Kind streckte seine Hand fordernd nach dem Spielzeug aus.
The child stretched out its hand insistently toward the toy.
certain / specific
'bestimmt' and 'fordernd' can easily be confused in expressions such as a look, tone, or manner. Here, 'bestimmt' can mean that something specific is meant, for example a specific tone or a specific reaction. 'fordernd', on the other hand, describes someone demanding a response through their look, tone, or manner. It sounds stronger and often somewhat exhausting. If you only want to say that something is meant exactly or specifically, 'bestimmt' fits. If someone is applying pressure or demanding something, 'fordernd' fits.
Im Supermarkt sah das Kind seine Mutter fordernd an.
In the supermarket, the child looked at his mother insistently.
Nach dem Essen sprach sie in einem bestimmten Ton über das Problem.
After dinner, she spoke about the problem in a specific tone.