Spanish word

negativa

Pronunciation

IPA/neɣaˈtiβa/

Meaning

  • feminine noundenial

Example

Recibí una negativa a mi solicitud.

I received a denial of my application.

Illustration for negativa (denial)

More examples

Ella dio una negativa a la oferta de trabajo.

She turned down the job offer.

Core concept

A person shaking their head while pushing back an application.

Common phrases

  • recibir una negativa

    receive a rejection

  • dar una negativa

    turn down

Similar words

rechazo: Rejects an offer or proposal with firm, unambiguous language.
negación: Denies a fact, claim, or accusation by asserting it is not true.
respuesta: Provides an answer to a question or responds to a request.

Definition in Spanish

Expresa el acto de rechazar o la decisión de no aceptar una petición, oferta o solicitud.

Word origin

Negativa derives from the verb negar (to deny) and ultimately from Latin negare, with a feminine nominal ending that turns the verb into a noun naming a refusal or rejection.

Usage tips

  • In conversation speakers often avoid saying 'una negativa' directly and prefer softer expressions such as 'me temo que no' or 'lo siento, pero'.

Other meanings

  • refusalnoun
  • rejectionnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word