Chiedere per ottenere qualcosa Domandare per sapere qualcosa (A Dio si chiedono le grazie, non si domandano: perché con Dio nessuno ha diritti. (Magalotti) Exigir (sp.) = esigere, pretendere (it.) Good explanation of using these two verbs http://www.italki.com/question/289973

It's almost the same thing in English. In English "chiedere" and "domandare" it's ask for both. For example: Domandare: in Italiano si usa per rivolgersi a qualcuno per sapere Qualcosa. Chiedere: in Italiano si usa per ottenere qualcosa o per sapere Qualcosa. Domandare: turn to someone to know something Ex: ask the price; ask the name; the address etc.... Chiedere: turn to someone for require something Ex: require (ask) for food ; require (ask) a book etc...

They have quite the similar meaning, a slight difference can be found if you think as "chiedere" as a general translation for "ask" (ex. Chiedere di passare il sale - ask to pass the salt) while domandare suits better the translation for "ask" when it's specifically a question (domandare dove si trova la banca - ask where is the bank). This is a very slight difference though as most of the time the two verbs are interchangeables :)