Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
LAWSUIT in Spanish: DEMANDA
Demanda · noun · deh-MAHN-dah
Demanda is the primary Spanish term for a lawsuit or legal claim filed against someone. Be careful—demanda is a false cognate that also means demand (as in economic supply and demand: oferta y demanda). Context makes the meaning clear, but learners should be aware that this single word straddles both legal and economic vocabulary.
deh-MAHN-dah
Presentó una demanda contra la empresa por negligencia.
She filed a lawsuit against the company for negligence.
lawsuit in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for lawsuit, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| demanda | lawsuit | deh-MAHN-dah | Default, widely understood |
| juicio | lawsuit | trial/legal proceedings | |
| pleito | lawsuit | legal dispute | |
| litigio | lawsuit | litigation (formal) |
How Native Speakers Use Demanda
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Filing a Lawsuit
Voy a poner una demanda si no me pagan lo que me deben.
I'm going to file a lawsuit if they don't pay me what they owe.
Threatening legal action over unpaid debts.
News Report
La demanda colectiva involucra a más de mil afectados.
The class-action lawsuit involves more than a thousand affected people.
Demanda colectiva is the term for a class-action suit.
Legal Discussion
El pleito entre las dos empresas duró cinco años.
The lawsuit between the two companies lasted five years.
Pleito emphasizes the contentious nature of the dispute.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Demanda
Confusing with Demand (Economics)
Incorrect: La demanda del mercado fue presentada en corte.
Correct: La demanda fue presentada en el juzgado.
Demanda in economics means market demand. In legal contexts, it means lawsuit. The legal venue is juzgado (court), not mercado (market).
Using Demandar Wrong
Incorrect: Lo demandé que pagara.
Correct: Lo demandé por incumplimiento de contrato.
Demandar (to sue) requires por + reason, not que + subjunctive. The latter structure belongs to exigir (to demand something).
Lock in lawsuit Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Demanda used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using demanda in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Presentó una demanda contra la empresa por negligencia. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About lawsuit in Spanish
- What is the difference between demanda, juicio, and pleito?
- A demanda is the formal complaint or lawsuit filed. A juicio is the trial or court proceedings that follow. A pleito is the overall legal dispute between parties. Think of it as: you file a demanda, go through a juicio, and are involved in a pleito.
- How do I say to file a lawsuit in Spanish?
- Common expressions include presentar una demanda, poner una demanda, or interponer una demanda (more formal). The person suing is the demandante (plaintiff) and the person being sued is the demandado (defendant).
- Is demanda a false cognate?
- Demanda is a partial false cognate. It does mean demand in economic contexts (supply and demand = oferta y demanda), but its primary legal meaning—lawsuit—catches English speakers off guard. Always check whether the context is legal or economic.