索要 (suǒ yào) is a verb meaning 'to demand'—specifically, to insistently ask for something that one believes is rightfully owed or due, such as money, compensation, or an item. The character 索 (suǒ) originally meant 'to search for' or 'to seek', while 要 (yào) means 'to want' or 'to require'. Together, they convey a sense of active, often assertive pursuit—not just asking, but claiming what is considered justly owed. This word carries a slightly formal or serious tone and is commonly used in contexts involving debt recovery, customer service disputes, legal matters, or workplace negotiations.

Unlike casual requests (e.g., 请 or 想要), 索要 implies legitimacy and expectation: the speaker believes they have grounds for the demand. It’s rarely used in friendly or informal settings, and using it with friends or family could sound confrontational or overly rigid. It frequently appears in written reports, news headlines, or official correspondence, and is often followed by a direct object (e.g., 索要赔偿, 索要欠款).