xūqiú: 需求 - Need, Demand, Requirement

• Keywords: 需求, xuqiu, need in Chinese, demand in Chinese, requirement in Chinese, xūqiú meaning, what is 需求, Chinese for demand, supply and demand Chinese, business Chinese
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 需求 (xūqiú), which translates to “need,” “demand,” or “requirement.” More formal than the basic word for “need,” 需求 is a cornerstone of business, economic, and technical discussions in China. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use, contrasting it with similar terms to help you master its specific connotation for everything from market demand to user requirements.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xūqiú
• Part of Speech: Noun (primarily), Verb (less common)
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A need, demand, or requirement, typically in a formal, economic, or technical context.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 需求 (xūqiú) as “need” or “demand” on a larger or more formal scale. While you might personally “need” (需要, xūyào) a cup of coffee, a country has an “energy demand” (能源需求, néngyuán xūqiú), and a software company analyzes “user requirements” (用户需求, yònghù xūqiú). It’s less about a personal feeling and more about an objective, often measurable, requirement.

• 需 (xū): This character means “to need” or “to require.” Its top part (雨) is the radical for “rain.” The original pictograph suggests waiting in the rain, implying a need for shelter or a need to wait for something.
• 求 (qiú): This character means “to seek,” “to request,” or “to beg for.” The ancient form was a pictograph of a fur coat, a valuable item one would seek out for warmth.
• Combined Meaning: The characters for “needing” (需) and “seeking” (求) join to create a powerful and formal term. 需求 (xūqiú) isn't just a passive state of needing something; it implies an active seeking to fulfill a requirement, making it perfect for concepts like “market demand.”

While not a term from ancient philosophy, 需求 (xūqiú) is deeply significant in modern Chinese culture, especially since the economic reforms of the late 20th century. As China shifted towards a market economy, concepts like “market demand” (市场需求, shìchǎng xūqiú) and “consumer demand” became central to business strategy and national policy. A useful comparison for Western learners is the distinction between “wants” and “needs.” 需求 (xūqiú) is firmly in the “needs” camp, but with an added layer of formality and scale. In English, you might say “The people demand change.” In Chinese, using 需求 would frame this as an objective, societal requirement rather than just an emotional outcry. It removes the personal, sometimes selfish, connotation of “demand” in English and elevates it to a more systematic or official level. This reflects a cultural tendency to frame issues in a broader, more collective context.

需求 (xūqiú) is ubiquitous in professional, academic, and official settings. You will rarely hear it in casual, everyday chat about personal wants.

• In Business and Economics: This is its most common habitat. It's used to discuss market trends, customer analysis, and supply chains.
  • Examples: 市场需求 (shìchǎng xūqiú) - market demand; 客户需求 (kèhù xūqiú) - customer requirements.
• In Technology and Product Development: Essential for defining what a product must do.
  • Examples: 用户需求 (yònghù xūqiú) - user needs/requirements; 功能需求 (gōngnéng xūqiú) - functional requirements.
• In Formal or Written Contexts: It can be used for personal needs if the context is very formal, like in a written application or a formal statement.
  • Example: 我的主要需求是一个安静的工作环境。 (Wǒ de zhǔyào xūqiú shì yí ge ānjìng de gōngzuò huánjìng.) - My primary requirement is a quiet work environment.

• Example 1:
  • 我们需要分析当前的市场需求。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào fēnxī dāngqián de shìchǎng xūqiú.
  • English: We need to analyze the current market demand.
  • Analysis: A classic business sentence. 需求 is paired with 市场 (shìchǎng, market) to form a standard economic term.
• Example 2:
  • 这家公司努力满足所有客户的需求。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī nǔlì mǎnzú suǒyǒu kèhù de xūqiú.
  • English: This company strives to meet all its customers' needs.
  • Analysis: Here, 需求 refers to customer requirements. The verb used is 满足 (mǎnzú), which means “to satisfy” or “to meet,” a common partner for 需求.
• Example 3:
  • 随着经济发展，人们对文化产品的需求越来越大。
  • Pinyin: Suízhe jīngjì fāzhǎn, rénmen duì wénhuà chǎnpǐn de xūqiú yuè lái yuè dà.
  • English: As the economy develops, people's demand for cultural products is growing.
  • Analysis: This shows 需求 used in a societal context, referring to the collective demand of a population.
• Example 4:
  • 软件开发的第一个步骤是收集用户需求。
  • Pinyin: Ruǎnjiàn kāifā de dì yī gè bùzhòu shì shōují yònghù xūqiú.
  • English: The first step of software development is to gather user requirements.
  • Analysis: This is a textbook example from the IT/tech field. 需求 is precise and technical here.
• Example 5:
  • 由于需求旺盛，这款手机供不应求。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú xūqiú wàngshèng, zhè kuǎn shǒujī gōng bù yìng qiú.
  • English: Due to strong demand, the supply of this phone cannot keep up.
  • Analysis: 旺盛 (wàngshèng) means “vigorous” or “strong” and is often used to describe 需求. This sentence also includes the popular idiom 供不应求 (gōng bù yìng qiú), literally “supply not meeting demand.”
• Example 6:
  • 这个项目需求大量的资金和人力。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù xūqiú dàliàng de zījīn hé rénlì.
  • English: This project requires a large amount of funding and manpower.
  • Analysis: An example of 需求 used as a formal verb, meaning “to require.” It's more formal than simply saying 需要 (xūyào).
• Example 7:
  • 教育应适应社会发展的需求。
  • Pinyin: Jiàoyù yīng shìyìng shèhuì fāzhǎn de xūqiú.
  • English: Education should adapt to the needs of social development.
  • Analysis: A formal, abstract use of 需求 in the context of policy and social planning.
• Example 8:
  • 我们必须区分基本需求和奢侈需求。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū qūfēn jīběn xūqiú hé shēchǐ xūqiú.
  • English: We must distinguish between basic needs and luxury demands.
  • Analysis: This shows how 需求 can be modified with adjectives to create more specific categories, just like in English.
• Example 9:
  • 满足员工的精神需求对公司文化很重要。
  • Pinyin: Mǎnzú yuángōng de jīngshén xūqiú duì gōngsī wénhuà hěn zhòngyào.
  • English: Fulfilling employees' spiritual/mental needs is very important for company culture.
  • Analysis: While often economic, 需求 can also refer to abstract needs like psychological or spiritual ones, especially in formal discussions.
• Example 10:
  • 制定计划前，请明确您的具体需求。
  • Pinyin: Zhìdìng jìhuà qián, qǐng míngquè nín de jùtǐ xūqiú.
  • English: Before making a plan, please clarify your specific requirements.
  • Analysis: A polite but formal instruction you might see in a business email or on a form. It uses the polite “you” (您, nín).

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 需求 (xūqiú) and 需要 (xūyào). 需要 (xūyào) is the general, all-purpose word for “to need” (verb) or “a need” (noun). It's used in everyday, informal situations. 需求 (xūqiú) is a formal noun (and occasional verb) for “demand” or “requirement,” used in specific contexts like business, tech, and economics. Think of it this way: 需要 (xūyào) is what you feel, while 需求 (xūqiú) is what you analyze. Common Mistake: Using 需求 (xūqiú) for simple, personal needs.

• Incorrect: 我需求一杯水。(Wǒ xūqiú yì bēi shuǐ.)
  • Why it's wrong: This sounds overly formal and robotic, like you're submitting an official request for water.
• Correct: 我需要一杯水。(Wǒ xūyào yì bēi shuǐ.) - I need a glass of water.

Correct Use of 需求:

• Correct: 我们公司的产品满足了市场的需求。(Wǒmen gōngsī de chǎnpǐn mǎnzú le shìchǎng de xūqiú.) - Our company's products met the market's demand.

• 需要 (xūyào) - The common, everyday word for “to need” or “a need.” Less formal and more versatile than 需求.
• 要求 (yāoqiú) - “To request,” “to demand,” “a requirement.” Often stronger than 需求, implying a condition that must be met (e.g., job requirements).
• 供给 (gōngjǐ) - The direct antonym: “supply.” Often appears as 供求 (gōngqiú), meaning “supply and demand.”
• 渴望 (kěwàng) - “To thirst for,” “to long for.” This is a strong, emotional, and personal desire, far from the objective nature of 需求.
• 欲望 (yùwàng) - “Desire,” “lust,” “craving.” Carries a strong, often physical or selfish connotation.
• 必要 (bìyào) - “Necessary,” “essential.” An adjective or noun describing something that is indispensable. Related to 需求 but focuses on the state of being necessary.
• 市场 (shìchǎng) - “Market.” The most common companion word for 需求 in a business context.