Inklingo

How to Say "denial" in Spanish

English → Spanish

rechazo

/ray-CHAH-so//reˈtʃaso/

nounB1general
Use 'rechazo' when referring to the formal or official rejection of something, such as a request, application, or proposal.
A sad child sitting alone on a park bench while a group of children play together in the background.

Examples

El rechazo de la propuesta fue un golpe duro para el equipo.

The rejection of the proposal was a hard blow for the team.

Ella sintió un profundo rechazo ante la injusticia.

She felt a deep sense of rejection toward the injustice.

Su cuerpo mostró signos de rechazo al trasplante.

His body showed signs of rejecting the transplant.

Masculine Noun Pattern

Even though it ends in 'o', it's a noun made from the verb 'rechazar'. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Rejection vs. Refusal

Mistake: “Using 'rechazo' only for people.”

Correction: In Spanish, 'rechazo' works for people, ideas, organ transplants, and official applications.

negativa

/neh-gah-TEE-bah//ne.ɣaˈti.βa/

nounB1general
Choose 'negativa' to express an official refusal or a firm 'no' in a more formal or institutional setting, often implying a lack of permission.
A person gently holding their hand up in a stop gesture, declining a gift offered by another person.

Examples

Ante la negativa del director, no pudimos entrar.

In the face of the director's refusal, we couldn't enter.

Recibí una negativa por respuesta.

I received a 'no' as an answer.

Using 'Negativa' as a Noun

Even though it looks like an adjective, when you put 'la' or 'una' in front of it, it means 'the act of saying no' or 'a refusal'.

no

/no//ˈno/

nounB1informal
Use 'no' as a noun when you mean a direct, simple refusal, often as a response to a question or plea, emphasizing the act of saying 'no'.
A formal letter with a large red 'REJECTED' stamp on it, representing a refusal or a 'no'.

Examples

Recibí un no rotundo como respuesta.

I received a firm no as an answer.

Es difícil aceptar un no.

It's hard to accept a no.

Su futuro depende de un sí o un no.

His future depends on a yes or a no.

Always Masculine

When you use 'no' as a thing (a noun), it's always masculine. So you'll say 'el no' (the no) or 'un no' (a no).

Choosing between 'rechazo' and 'negativa'

Learners often confuse 'rechazo' and 'negativa'. While both mean refusal, 'rechazo' is more common for rejecting proposals, applications, or specific items, whereas 'negativa' often implies a formal refusal of permission or access.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.