rechazar
/ret͡ʃaˈθaɾ/
To refuse in Spanish is to rechazar.
The verb rechazar is used when you decline a request, a demand. If you are referring to discarded items or materials, you might instead use the nouns basura, desechos or rehús.
Meaning: (transitive) decline (request, demand) (verb)
Which one should you use?
While rechazar is used for declining offers or rejecting ideas, the phrase negarse a is used when a person refuses to perform an action (e.g., 'refused to go').
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular preterite form (he/she refused) is rechazó, and the gerund form (refusing) is rechazando.
How do you pronounce it?
/retʃaˈθaɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish verb rechazar is a distant relative of the English word 'chase'. Both originate from a root meaning to hunt or drive away.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, rechazar can carry a stronger emotional weight than 'refuse', often implying a definitive or blunt rejection of a person's feelings.
- The word rechazar is used in medicine and biology to describe a body's immune system rejecting a transplanted organ.
Examples in context
- Hiciste mal en rechazar su ayuda.You did wrong to refuse his help.This sentence shows the use of rechazar regarding help.Tatoeba #3205432 by wallebot, translation #17752 by Zifre
- Él me hizo una oferta que no pude rechazar.He made me an offer I couldn't refuse.This sentence demonstrates rechazar in the context of an offer.Tatoeba #2481535 by marcelostockle, translation #1848783 by Spamster
- Me hicieron una oferta que no pude rechazar.They gave me an offer that I couldn't refuse.This sentence shows how to use rechazar when someone is given an offer.Tatoeba #599188 by Shishir, translation #597773 by FeuDRenais2
- Debo rechazar tu oferta.I must refuse your offer.
- Lamentablemente, debo negar su solicitud por falta de recursos.Unfortunately, I must refuse your request due to insufficient resources.
- Voy a rechazar la invitación, ya que tengo otros planes.I'm going to refuse the invitation since I have other plans.
- Prefiero no aceptar la propuesta en esta ocasión.I prefer not to accept the proposal on this occasion.
- No quiero ir a la fiesta, gracias por invitarme de todos modos.I don't want to go to the party, thanks for inviting me anyway.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are discussing a job offer.
- Alejandro¿Vas a aceptar el nuevo trabajo?Are you going to accept the new job?
- MaríaNo, voy a rechazar la oferta.No, I am going to refuse the offer.
- Alejandro¿Por qué rechazarías una oportunidad así?Why would you refuse an opportunity like that?
- MaríaEs que el sueldo es muy bajo.It is just that the salary is very low.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry rechazar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rechazar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
