Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
How to Say Sue in Spanish: Demandar
Demandar · verb · deh-mahn-DAHR
Sue in Spanish is demandar, meaning to bring a legal action or lawsuit against someone.
Demandar is deh-mahn-DAHR, three syllables with stress on DAHR.
Decidió demandar a la empresa por despido injustificado.
She decided to sue the company for wrongful termination.
Sue in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for sue, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| demandar | sue | deh-mahn-DAHR | Default, widely understood |
| poner una demanda | sue | full expression meaning to file a lawsuit |
How Native Speakers Use Demandar
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Legal action
Van a demandar al hospital por negligencia médica.
They are going to sue the hospital for medical negligence.
Medical malpractice scenario.
Neighbor dispute
Mi vecino me amenazó con demandarme por el ruido.
My neighbor threatened to sue me over the noise.
Everyday legal dispute.
Consumer rights
Si no me devuelven el dinero, los voy a demandar.
If they don't give me my money back, I'm going to sue them.
Consumer complaint.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Demandar
Confusing demandar with demand in English
Incorrect: Ella demandó un café con leche.
Correct: Ella pidió un café con leche.
While demand in English can mean to request forcefully, demandar in Spanish specifically means to sue; for demanding or requesting, use exigir or pedir.
Preposition error
Incorrect: Lo demandó de fraude.
Correct: Lo demandó por fraude.
The correct preposition is por (for) when stating the reason for the lawsuit.
Lock in Sue 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 Demandar used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using demandar in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Decidió demandar a la empresa por despido injustificado. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Sue in Spanish
- How do you say sue in Spanish?
- The verb is demandar, and the full legal expression is poner una demanda contra alguien (to file a lawsuit against someone).
- Does demandar only mean to sue?
- In legal Spanish, demandar exclusively means to sue or to bring a legal claim, though in very formal or literary usage it can occasionally mean to demand—context always clarifies the meaning.
- How do you say lawsuit in Spanish?
- A lawsuit is una demanda, the related noun, and to file a lawsuit is interponer una demanda or presentar una demanda ante el tribunal (before the court).