exigencia

Exigencia is a noun used in Spanish and Portuguese to denote a demand, a requirement, or a strict standard imposed or expected to be met. It can refer to the act of demanding something or to the condition that must be satisfied to comply with rules, contracts, or expectations. The term often conveys a sense of rigor or high standards.

Etymology and related forms: Exigencia comes from Latin exigentia, from exigir, meaning to demand or require. In Portuguese, the cognate is exigência, spelled with diacritics as required by the language. Both forms share the core sense of requiring something to be fulfilled or obtained.

Usage and nuance: In everyday language, exigencia can describe the pressure or expectations placed on a person, a task, or an institution. Examples include exigencia académica (high academic standards), exigencias legais (legal requirements), and exigencias de qualidade (quality demands). It can also describe a person who is demanding, i.e., someone who sets strict criteria for others or for themselves.

Synonyms and related terms: In Spanish, synonyms include demanda, requisito, requerimiento, and rigor. In Portuguese, similares are demanda, requisito, and exigimos a ideia de rigor. The term generally carries a neutral to negative nuance when it implies excessive pressure, but it can be neutral when referring to legitimate standards or contractual obligations.

See also: Exigir, exigente, exigible, requisito.