French Conversation · Level 120
57 words
French word
décliner
Pronunciation
IPA/dekline/
Meaning
- verbrefuse
Example
J'ai décliné son invitation.
I refused his invitation.
More examples
La société a décliné toute responsabilité.
The company declined all responsibility.
Core concept
An invitation or proposal gently turned away while preserving a respectful tone.
Common phrases
décliner une proposition
decline a proposal
décliner la responsabilité
decline responsibility
Similar words
refuser: Clearly refuse to accept an offer from someone.
dire non: Say no directly and aloud to refuse something.
Definition in French
Dire qu'on n'accepte pas une proposition, généralement de façon polie ou formelle.
Word origin
The French verb décliner developed from Latin declinare, meaning 'to turn aside,' which extended from physical movement to refusing an offer.
Usage tips
- The usual pattern is décliner une invitation, une offre, or une proposition, with the object directly following the verb.