拒绝

• Pinyin: jù jué
• Hanzi breakdown: 拒 = 扌(hand) + 巨 (huge); 绝 = 纟(silk) + 色 (color) component, originally meaning to cut silk

Meaning

To refuse; to reject; to decline. To say no to a request, offer, or proposal.

A direct and somewhat formal way to express refusal. Can be used for declining invitations, rejecting proposals, refusing entry, or turning down requests. Stronger and more definitive than softer alternatives like 不行 or 不好意思.

Examples

1. 她拒绝了他的求婚，因为她还没准备好结婚。 She rejected his marriage proposal because she wasn't ready to get married yet.
2. 银行拒绝了他的贷款申请。 The bank rejected his loan application.
3. 我们有权拒绝为不礼貌的客人提供服务。 We have the right to refuse service to impolite customers.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, formal, business

Tone: firm

Do Say

• 我必须拒绝你的邀请。(I must decline your invitation.)
• 被拒绝后不要灰心。(Don't be discouraged after being rejected.)

Don't Say

• 拒绝一下，我先想想。(Don't use 拒绝 tentatively — it's definitive; use 我再考虑考虑 to buy time)

Origin & History

拒 (jù, resist/refuse) + 绝 (jué, sever/absolutely). The combination emphasizes a firm and absolute refusal.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal