Inklingo

How to Say "rejection" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “rejection” is “rechazo” — use 'rechazo' for general social, emotional, or even physical rejection, such as rejecting an idea, a proposal, or a person in a non-romantic context..

English → Spanish

rechazo

/ray-CHAH-so//reˈtʃaso/

nounB1general
Use 'rechazo' for general social, emotional, or even physical rejection, such as rejecting an idea, a proposal, or a person in a non-romantic context.
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
Use 'negativa' specifically when someone is not accepting an offer, a request, or a 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-sah/kalaˈβaθa/

nounB2informal
Use 'calabaza' informally to describe turning someone down romantically, often when they ask for a date or relationship.
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'.

espaldas

es-PAL-das/esˈpalðas/

nounB2general
This word is not used for 'rejection' itself, but appears in the idiom 'dar la espalda a alguien,' meaning to turn one's back on someone or ignore them.
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'.

General vs. Specific Rejection

Learners often use 'rechazo' for all types of rejection. Remember that 'negativa' is specific to refusing offers or requests, and 'calabaza' is an informal, slang term for romantic rejection.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.