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How to Say "rejection" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “rejection” is “rechazo” — use this for general social or emotional rejection, such as the rejection of a proposal or feeling excluded.

English → Spanish

rechazo

ray-CHAH-soreˈtʃaso

nounB1general
Use this for general social or emotional rejection, such as the rejection of a proposal or feeling excluded.
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-bahne.ɣaˈti.βa

nounB1general
Use this when someone explicitly denies or refuses an offer, request, or 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'.

calabaza

kah-lah-BAH-sahkalaˈβaθa

nounB2informal
This informal term is specifically for when someone turns down a romantic advance or invitation.
A sad character holding a single wilted flower while another character walks away.

Examples

Le pidió una cita, pero ella le dio calabazas.

He asked her out, but she turned him down.

He sacado calabazas en matemáticas.

I failed my math exam.

Using the plural

When talking about rejection or failing, we almost always use the plural form 'calabazas'.

veto

BEH-tohˈbe.to

nounB2formal
Use this when a proposal, law, or decision is officially turned down or disallowed by someone in authority.
A hand pressing a large red button with a white X on it, stopping a process.

Examples

El presidente tiene el poder de veto sobre la nueva ley.

The president has the power of veto over the new law.

Mis padres pusieron un veto a mi plan de ir a la fiesta.

My parents put a ban on my plan to go to the party.

El derecho de veto es fundamental en el Consejo de Seguridad.

The right of veto is fundamental in the Security Council.

Always Masculine

The word 'veto' is masculine, so always use 'el' or 'un'. Even if you are talking about a woman's refusal, the word stays 'el veto'.

Nouns vs. Verbs

Don't confuse 'el veto' (the noun/object) with 'yo veto' (the action of blocking something right now).

Gender confusion

Mistake: “La veto de la propuesta.”

Correction: El veto de la propuesta. Nouns ending in -o are almost always masculine in Spanish.

espaldas

es-PAL-dasesˈpalðas

nounB2general
This word is not used for 'rejection' itself, but in the idiom 'dar la espalda' meaning to ignore or turn one's back on someone.
A figure standing with their back turned, while another figure behind them is secretly exchanging an object, illustrating an action happening without the first person's knowledge.

Examples

No me gusta que hablen de mí a mis espaldas.

I don't like them talking about me behind my back.

Ella le dio la espalda a su mejor amigo cuando más la necesitaba.

She turned her back on her best friend when he needed her most.

Fixed Phrases

In this usage, 'espaldas' is almost always part of the fixed phrases 'a espaldas de' or 'dar la espalda a,' which function like single verbs or adverbs.

Confusing 'a' and 'de'

Mistake: “Habló en espaldas de su jefe.”

Correction: Habló a espaldas de su jefe. The fixed phrase uses the preposition 'a'.

Choosing between 'rechazo' and 'negativa'

Learners often confuse 'rechazo' and 'negativa'. Remember that 'negativa' specifically refers to the act of refusing an offer or request, while 'rechazo' is broader, covering social exclusion or emotional rejection.

Related Translations

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