nier
/nje/
The English verb 'deny' can be translated into French using nier or démentir.
Meaning: to assert that something is not true (verb)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| nier | /nje/ /ni.e/ |
| démentir | /de.mɑ̃.tiʁ/ |
Both words mean to assert that something is not true, but they are used in different contexts.
Which one should you use?
Use nier when someone claims that a fact or a statement is not true. In contrast, use démentir specifically when refuting or contradicting a piece of information, such as a news report or a rumor.
How do you pronounce it?
/nje/
Did you know?
- The verb nier was actually changed from its Old French form noiier to avoid being confused with the word noyer, which means 'to drown'.
- The word démentir can also be used reflexively as se démentir, meaning that a person's actions have contradicted their previous words.
- The word démenti can be used as a noun to refer to an official press release or formal statement that denies a previous report.
Examples in context
- Tu dois le nier.You must deny it.This sentence is useful for expressing an obligation to deny something with nier.Tatoeba #1156958 by sacredceltic, translation #1357411 by sacredceltic
- Tu ne peux le nier.You can't deny that.This sentence is useful for expressing that it is impossible to deny something with nier.Tatoeba #2036146 by sacredceltic, translation #1951472 by CK
- Je ne le nierai pas.I won't deny it.This sentence is useful for expressing a refusal to deny something with nier.Tatoeba #7352815 by Aiji, translation #2271954 by CK
- Jean a nié toutes les accusations portées contre lui.Jean denied all the accusations brought against him.
- Le scientifique réfute les résultats de l'étude précédente.The scientist refutes the results of the previous study.
- Elle a contesté l'authenticité du document présenté.She contested the authenticity of the presented document.
- Non, je réfute cette idée complètement.No, I completely refute that idea.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are discussing a rumor at school.
- ManonEst-ce que Hugo a dit cela ?Did Hugo say that?
- HugoOui, mais il veut tout nier maintenant.Yes, but he wants to deny everything now.
- ManonPourquoi nier l'évidence ?Why deny the obvious?
- HugoIl a peur d'avoir des problèmes.He is afraid of getting into trouble.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “deny” translations and entries nier, démentir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries démentir, nier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
