French word

réclamer

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁeklame/

Meaning

  • verbdemand

Example

Je réclame un remboursement.

I demand a refund.

Illustration for réclamer (demand)

More examples

Elle réclame des explications au sujet de la facture.

She is requesting explanations about the bill.

Core concept

A customer firmly insisting that a company return money or correct a wrong.

Common phrases

  • réclamer un remboursement

    request a refund

  • réclamer des explications

    request explanations

  • réclamer la parole

    ask for the floor

Similar words

demander: Ask someone for an object or action.
exiger: Strongly demand something based on a right or necessity.

Definition in French

Faire une demande insistante pour obtenir ce que l'on considère comme dû, notamment pour un remboursement ou une réparation.

Word origin

Réclamer comes from Latin reclamare, meaning to cry out again, and developed from public protest to an insistent demand.

Usage tips

  • English reclaim usually means recover or reuse, while French réclamer commonly means demand or claim something owed.

Other meanings

  • claimverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word