How to Say "be unwilling" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “be unwilling” is “negar” — B2 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.
Examples
Me niego a trabajar horas extras.
I refuse to work overtime.
Se niega a creer la noticia, aunque es cierta.
He refuses to believe the news, even though it's true.
Los atletas deben negarse muchos postres.
Athletes must deny themselves many desserts.
The Crucial 'a'
When 'negarse' means 'to refuse to do something,' it MUST be followed by the small word 'a' and then the action verb: 'Se niega A pagar' (He refuses TO pay).
Reflexive Action
Since it is reflexive, you must always include the corresponding reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os) before the conjugated verb.
Omitting the Preposition
Mistake: “Me niego pagar la cuenta.”
Correction: The correct structure requires 'a': 'Me niego A pagar la cuenta.' This pattern is common for many verbs expressing refusal or preparation.
Related Translations
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