Korean word

거절

Pronunciation

Romanizationkeojeol

Meaning

  • nounrefusal

Example

그녀의 거절에 상처를 받았다.keu nyeo ui keo jeo re sang cheo reul pa dat tta

I was hurt by her refusal.

Illustration for 거절 (refusal)

More examples

면접에서 거절 통보를 받았다.myeon jeo be seo keo jeol tong bo reul pa dat tta

I received a rejection notice at the interview.

Core concept

A request or offer stops at a boundary instead of being welcomed in.

Common phrases

  • 정중한 거절cheong jung han keo jeol

    polite rejection

  • 거절을 당하다keo jeo reul tang ha da

    be turned down

  • 거절 통보keo jeol tong bo

    rejection notice

Similar words

거부keobu: A firm decision not to accept a request, demand, or proposal is a rejection.
사양sayang: Politely declining a favor or offer out of modesty is a courteous refusal.
퇴짜toejja: A cold, blunt refusal of an invitation or request is a brush-off.

Definition in Korean

남의 부탁이나 권유를 받아들이지 않는 행동이나 상태를 가리키는 명사.na mui pu ta gi na kwo nyu reul pa da deu ri ji an neun haeng dong i na sang tae reul ka ri ki neun myeong sa

Word origin

Its Sino Korean roots combine the ideas of refusing and ending, which makes the word easy to connect with an offer being turned away.

Usage tips

  • The surrounding tone matters because the same refusal can sound polite or firm depending on how it is expressed.

Other meanings

  • rejectionnoun
  • turning downnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word