This is the 5610th most frequent Russian word.
потребовали
"Потребовали" means "demanded" in English.
The verb 'потребовали' is used to express a demand or requirement for something to be done or fulfilled, in this case, the repayment of a debt.
Они потребовали вернуть им долг.
They demanded to have their debt repaid.
Here, 'потребовали' indicates the action taken by workers to ask formally for improvements in their work environment.
Работники потребовали улучшения условий труда.
The workers demanded better working conditions.
In this sentence, 'потребовал' (a singular form of 'потребовали') demonstrates the request or demand made by an authority figure for quietness.