否認 / 否认
fǒurèn
In Chinese, the English verb "deny" can be translated as 否認 / 否认 (fǒurèn) or 否定.
Meaning: to assert that something is not true (verb)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 否認 / 否认 | fǒurèn |
| 否定 | fǒudìng |
Both terms are used to express the act of denying, but they apply to different contexts of truth and logic.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 否認 is composed of 否 (meaning no or not) and 認 (meaning to admit or recognize). The term 否定 is composed of 否 (meaning no or not) and 定 (meaning to decide, determine or fix).
Which one should you use?
否認 is used when someone denies the truth of a specific statement, accusation or fact. In contrast, 否定 is more abstract and can mean to negate a logic, to reject a possibility or to deny the validity of a theory.
How do you pronounce it?
fǒurèn
Did you know?
- The character 否 can be read as 'fǒu' when it means 'deny' or 'no', but it is read as 'pǐ' when it describes something negative or unsuccessful, such as a 'bad' omen.
- In Chinese philosophy and logic, 否定 is often viewed as a productive force rather than a simple 'no', influencing how the concept of 'negation' is taught in dialectics.
- While English uses 'deny' for both truth and access, Chinese uses 否認 for truth but a different word, 拒絕, to 'deny' a request or entry.
Examples in context
- 誰也不能否定其事實。No one can deny the fact.This sentence demonstrates the use of 否定 regarding a fact.Tatoeba #7752874 by Leolaaziano, translation #47059 by CK
- 我既不能確認也不能否定。I can neither confirm nor deny that.This sentence shows how to use 否定 in the context of neither confirming nor denying.Tatoeba #5933767 by verdastelo9604, translation #2700655 by Hybrid
- 先肯定后否定，一正一反，就分外有力量。First acknowledge, then deny – one for and one against – and then you are in a powerful position.This sentence illustrates the use of 否定 when discussing a logical reversal of a position.Tatoeba #2367504 by GlossaMatik, translation #2367505 by eastasiastudent
- 不可以否认，他在此次事件中有责任。It cannot be denied that he bears some responsibility in this incident.
- 他驳斥了对他的指控。He denies the accusations made against him.
- 他完全否认偷吃了甜品。He completely denies stealing the dessert.
- 他根本不承认自己做错了。He simply denies that he made a mistake.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “deny” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
