Japanese word

拒否

Pronunciation

Romajikyohi

Meaning

  • nounrefusal

Example

彼はその提案を拒否します。kare wa so no tei an o kyo hi shi ma su

He refuses the proposal.

Illustration for 拒否 (refusal)

More examples

申込者は個人情報の提供を拒否しました。mōshi komi sha wa ko jin jō hō no tei kyō o kyo hi shi ma shi ta

The applicant refused to provide personal information.

Core concept

It marks a deliberate decision not to accept something that has been offered or requested.

Common phrases

  • 拒否するkyo hi su ru

    refuse

  • 拒否の理由kyo hi no ri yū

    reason for refusal

Similar words

断りkotowari: A statement or act of declining a request, invitation, or offer.

Definition in Japanese

申し出や要求などを受け入れず、退けること。mō shi de ya yō kyū na do o u ke i re zu shirizo ke ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 拒否 (kyohi) combines 拒 (kyo, "refuse") and 否 (hi, "deny"), expressing a refusal.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 拒否 (kyohi) sounds formal, while 断る (kotowaru) is common for refusing a person's request.

Other meanings

  • rejectionnoun
  • denialnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 拒否感kyohikanfeeling of rejectionnoun

Word lists with this word