rechazar
/ret͡ʃaˈθaɾ/
To turn down in Spanish is to rechazar.
The verb rechazar is used to express the idea of refusing, declining or denying something.
Meaning: refuse, decline, deny (verb)
Which one should you use?
While rechazar is used to turn down or reject an offer or a proposal, denegar is more specific to the formal denial of a request, permission or access. In legal or highly formal contexts, such as a court rejecting an appeal or a judge dismissing a claim, the verb desestimar is often used instead of rechazar. Additionally, negarse can be used to emphasize a strong refusal or rejection.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of rechazar is rechazado. In the present subjunctive, the forms for I, he, she and it (as well as the formal 'you') are all rechace.
How do you pronounce it?
/retʃaˈθaɾ/
Did you know?
- While rechazar is common, a person who is 'rejected' or 'turned down' in a romantic context is often called rechazado or’ninguneado’.
- In a physical sense, rechazar can describe a magnetic force pushing two objects apart or a bullet bouncing off a surface.
- The verb rechazar is etymologically linked to the Old French word for 'to chase', implying that when you reject something, you are essentially 'chasing it away'.
Examples in context
- ¿Por qué rechazaron tu propuesta?Why did they turn down your proposal?This sentence uses rechazar to show a question about why a proposal was turned down.Tatoeba #824286 by darinmex, translation #38627 by CK
- Robert estaba tan ocupado que tuvo que rechazar una invitación para jugar al golf.Robert was so busy he had to turn down an invitation to play golf.This sentence uses rechazar to describe having to turn down an invitation.Tatoeba #2063193 by Espi, translation #29345 by CN
- Le agradezco la oferta, pero debo rechazarla.I appreciate the offer, but I must turn it down.
- Lamento tener que declinar su invitación.I'm sorry to have to turn down your invitation.
- Categóricamente, me niego a aceptar esas condiciones.Categorically, I refuse to accept those terms.
- Ella decidió rechazar el empleo en la fábrica.She decided to turn down the job at the factory.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are talking about a job offer.
- Javier¿Vas a aceptar el nuevo puesto?Are you going to accept the new position?
- LucíaNo, prefiero rechazar la oferta por ahora.No, I prefer to turn down the offer for now.
- Javier¿Por qué quieres rechazar esa oportunidad?Why do you want to turn down that opportunity?
- LucíaEs que el sueldo es demasiado bajo.It's just that the salary is too low.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turn down” translations and entries 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.
