German word

abweisen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈapˌvaɪ̯zn̩/

Meaning

  • verbreject

Example

Der Chef weist den Vorschlag ab.

The boss rejects the proposal.

Illustration for abweisen (reject)

More examples

Er weist das Angebot höflich ab.

He politely rejects the offer.

Core concept

A person or request reaches a firm boundary and is sent away rather than accepted.

Common phrases

  • eine Einladung abweisen

    reject an invitation

  • ein Angebot abweisen

    reject an offer

  • jemanden höflich abweisen

    politely reject someone

Similar words

ablehnen: To officially refuse an offer or request.
zurückweisen: To reject a demand or claim as unacceptable.
absagen: To decline a meeting or invitation by saying attendance is not possible.
verweigern: To intentionally refuse to carry out a requested action or give permission.

Definition in German

Jemandes Bitte, Angebot oder Vorschlag abweisen; jemanden zurückweisen oder etwas ablehnen.

Word origin

The separable verb combines ab- meaning 'away' with weisen, an inherited Germanic verb related to directing or showing.

Usage tips

  • Abweisen is separable and takes an accusative object, as in 'Der Chef weist den Vorschlag ab' and 'Er weist ihn ab'.

Other meanings

  • refuseverb
  • turn awayverb
  • dismissverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Abweisungrejectionnoun
  • abweisendaloofadjective

Word lists with this word