Chinese word

回绝

Pronunciation

Pinyinhuí jué

Meaning

  • verbrefuse

Example

我不能回绝你的好意。wǒ bù néng huí jué nǐ de hǎo yì

I can't refuse your kind gesture.

Illustration for 回绝 (refuse)

More examples

他很直接地回绝了邀请。tā hěn zhí jiē dì huí jué le yāo qǐng

He directly refused the invitation.

Core concept

A spoken door closes on something another person asks for, offers, or suggests.

Common phrases

  • 回绝邀请huí jué yāo qǐng

    refuse an invitation

  • 回绝提议huí jué tí yì

    refuse a proposal

Similar words

拒绝jù jué: Clearly refuse a request, offer, or proposal.
婉拒wǎn jù: Politely decline a request or offer in a gentle way that avoids causing offense.
谢绝xiè jué: Politely decline an offer after expressing thanks.

Definition in Chinese

拒绝别人的请求、好意或提议，表示不接受或不答应的行为或动作。jù jué bié rén de qǐng qiú hǎo yì huò tí yì biǎo shì bù jiē shòu huò bù dā yìng de xíng wéi huò dòng zuò

Word origin

回 (huí, "turn back") + 绝 (jué, "cut off") form the image of sending a request back and cutting off acceptance.

Usage tips

  • The word marks a firm decision rather than a reply that leaves room for later consideration, so it suits a clear rejection more than a noncommittal delay.

Other meanings

  • declineverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word