否定
hitei[çi̥te̞ː]
The English word "denial" is translated into Japanese as 否定 (hitei).
否定 refers to an assertion of untruth, a negation or a general denial. In logical or mathematical contexts, it specifically means "negation".
Meaning: assertion of untruth (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 否, meaning negation or no and 定, meaning to determine or decide.
Which one should you use?
While 否定 is used for general negation, the term 否認 is a more formal word used specifically for the denial of an accusation or a specific fact within legal or official contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can turn the noun 否定 into a verb meaning "to deny" or "to negate" by adding the verb する to it, forming 否定する.
How do you pronounce it?
hitei
Did you know?
- In Japanese logic, the word 否定 can be used to describe a 'negative' answer to a question, even if that answer is actually a 'yes' in English. For example, if you ask 'Is it not raining?' and the person says 'No' (denial), they are actually confirming that it is not raining.
- In highly polite 'keigo' speech, direct denial using 否定 is often avoided. Instead, speakers use vague phrases like 難しいです meaning 'it is difficult' to signal a denial without ever actually saying the word.
- While 否定 means 'denial', the kanji 否 is almost never used alone in spoken Japanese. Instead, people use the word いいえ for 'no', making the character a sight common in writing but rare in speech.
Examples in context
- お断りいたしますI must decline.
- いいえ、その申し出は受けられませんNo, I cannot accept that offer.
- 申し訳ありませんが、その提案は受け入れることができませんI'm sorry, but I cannot accept that proposal.
- 申し訳ありませんが、今回はお断りさせていただきますI'm sorry, but I have to decline this time.
- いや、それはちょっと違うかなNo, that's a bit different, you know.
- いや、今日は無理だよNah, I can't make it today.
- ちょっと違うな、その考え方はIt's a bit different, the way you think.
- ちょっと違うな、今は行けないんだIt's a bit different, I can't go now.
- 彼の否定はあまりに強引だった。Kare no hitei wa amari ni gouin datta.His denial was too forceful.
- 証拠があるのに、彼は否定を続ける。Shouko ga aru no ni, kare wa hitei o tsuzukeru.Despite the evidence, he continues his denial.
- その疑惑に対する否定は認められない。Sono giwaku ni taisuru hitei wa mitomerarenai.The denial regarding that suspicion is not accepted.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are discussing a news report about a politician.
- 健太 Kentaあの政治家は、疑惑を真っ向から否定しているね。Ano seijika wa, giwaku o makkou kara hitei shite iru ne.That politician is flatly denying the suspicion, isn't he?
- 結衣 Yuiでも、証拠もたくさん出ているからね。Demo, shouko mo takusan dete iru kara ne.But there is a lot of evidence out there.
- 健太 Kenta彼の否定を信じる人は少ないと思うよ。Kare no hitei o shinjiru hito wa sukunai to omou yo.I think few people will believe his denial.
- 結衣 Yuiそうだね、納得するのは難しいだろうね。Sou da ne, nattoku suru no wa muzukashii darou ne.True, it will be hard to accept.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 否定, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
