rifiutare
/ri.fjuˈta.re/
The Italian verb for to refuse is rifiutare.
Rifiutare is the most common and general term in Italian to express the act of declining a request, an offer or a demand.
Meaning: (transitive) decline (request, demand) (verb)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the verb and the noun. While rifiutare is used for declining something, the plural noun rifiuti refers to physical waste, trash or discarded materials.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of rifiutare is rifiutato.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable: /ri.fjuˈta.re/.
Did you know?
- The word rifiutare has a strange connection to the sense of smell, as it was historically influenced by the verb fiutare, which means 'to sniff'.
- The verb rifiutare is used for declining an offer, but if you are rejecting a person's romantic advances, Italians often use the more specific verb respingere.
Examples in context
- Tom non può rifiutare.Tom can't refuse.This sentence shows how to use rifiutare in a negative context.Tatoeba #2009098 by Guybrush88, translation #1954758 by CK
- Temo di dover rifiutare.I'm afraid I have to refuse.This sentence is useful for expressing a reluctant necessity to use rifiutare.Tatoeba #5617797 by Guybrush88, translation #3618927 by CK
- Come ho potuto rifiutare?How could I refuse?This sentence shows how to express disbelief about the ability to use rifiutare.Tatoeba #5329177 by Guybrush88, translation #4497069 by CK
- Ho dovuto rifiutare l'offerta a causa di altri impegni.I had to refuse the offer due to other commitments.
- Il signor Rossi ha negato la richiesta di sconto.Mr. Rossi refused the discount request.
- L'amministrazione ha respinto la proposta di collaborazione.The administration rejected the collaboration proposal.
- Ho detto di no all'invito alla festa perché ho altri piani.I said no to the party invitation because I have other plans.
- Scarta pure la proposta se non ti sembra interessante.Feel free to reject the proposal if you don't find it interesting.
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Sofia are at a café discussing a job offer.
- LorenzoDevi rifiutare questa offerta di lavoro.You must refuse this job offer.
- SofiaNon voglio rifiutare, ma lo stipendio è basso.I don't want to refuse, but the salary is low.
- LorenzoAllora, lo rifiuterai sicuramente.Then, you will certainly refuse it.
- SofiaSì, Lorenzo, lo farò.Yes, Lorenzo, I will.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “refuse” translations and entries rifiutare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rifiutare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
