jùjué: 拒绝 - To Refuse, To Reject

• Keywords: refuse in Chinese, reject in Chinese, jujue meaning, 拒绝, how to say no in Chinese, Chinese word for reject, saying no politely in Chinese, disagree in Chinese, decline in Chinese, HSK 4 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn how to say “refuse” or “reject” in Chinese with the word 拒绝 (jùjué). This guide explains its strong, formal meaning and why it's different from a simple “no”. Discover the cultural importance of politeness and “face” (面子), and learn when to use 拒绝 and when to use softer alternatives to avoid being rude in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jùjué
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To refuse, reject, or decline a request, offer, or suggestion, typically in a direct and formal manner.
• In a Nutshell: 拒绝 (jùjué) is a strong and definitive word. Think of it as a formal “hard no.” While in English “refuse” can be used in many situations, 拒绝 in Chinese is often reserved for more serious or official contexts. Using it casually can come across as blunt or even confrontational, as it doesn't leave much room for negotiation or saving face.

• 拒 (jù): This character is composed of two parts. The left side, 扌 (shǒu), is the “hand” radical, indicating an action done with the hands. The right side, 巨 (jù), means “huge” and provides the sound. Together, they create the image of using your hand to push away or resist something forcefully.
• 绝 (jué): This character's original form depicts cutting a thread of silk (纟sī, the silk radical). This act of “severing” or “cutting off” evolved to mean “to cut off,” “to terminate,” or “absolutely.”
• Combined Meaning: The characters combine to form a powerful concept: to use your hand (拒) to completely cut off (绝) an offer, request, or possibility. This combination emphasizes the finality and decisiveness of the refusal.

The use of 拒绝 is deeply tied to the cultural concepts of 面子 (miànzi - face) and 和谐 (héxié - harmony). In Chinese culture, maintaining social harmony and ensuring that no one “loses face” is extremely important. A direct refusal, especially using a strong word like 拒绝, can be seen as a confrontation. It can embarrass the person making the request, causing them to lose face. For this reason, Chinese speakers often prefer more 委婉 (wěiwǎn - tactful/indirect) ways of declining. For example, instead of saying “I refuse your invitation,” a person might say, “Thank you, I'll see if I have time,” or “I might have another commitment.” This indirectness allows the other person to understand the “no” without being explicitly rejected, thus preserving face and harmony for everyone involved. This contrasts sharply with many Western cultures where directness (“Just say no”) is often seen as a sign of honesty and efficiency. For a learner, understanding this is more important than just memorizing the word itself.

While direct refusal is often avoided in personal relationships, 拒绝 has its clear and necessary place in modern China.

• Formal and Official Contexts: This is the most common and appropriate use of 拒绝. It's used in writing and formal speech for things like:
  • A company 拒绝-ing a job applicant.
  • A government office 拒绝-ing a visa application.
  • Formally 拒绝-ing a business proposal.

In these cases, the directness is expected and signifies a clear, official decision.

• Setting Firm Boundaries: In personal life, 拒绝 is used when you need to be unequivocally clear and firm. It signals that the topic is not up for discussion.
  • 拒绝-ing an unreasonable demand.
  • 拒绝-ing unwanted romantic advances.
  • 拒绝-ing pressure to do something you strongly disagree with.
• Dramatic or Humorous Effect: Among close friends, 拒绝 might be used hyperbolically for humorous effect, precisely because it sounds overly formal and serious for a casual situation.

• Example 1:
  • 他拒绝了我的帮助。
  • Pinyin: Tā jùjué le wǒ de bāngzhù.
  • English: He refused my help.
  • Analysis: This is a straightforward statement of fact. The use of 拒绝 implies the refusal was clear and direct.
• Example 2:
  • 公司拒绝了我的工作申请。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī jùjué le wǒ de gōngzuò shēnqǐng.
  • English: The company rejected my job application.
  • Analysis: This is a perfect example of a formal, official use of the word. It is the standard term for this context.
• Example 3:
  • 我拒绝回答这个问题。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jùjué huídá zhège wèntí.
  • English: I refuse to answer this question.
  • Analysis: This is a very strong and assertive statement. You might hear this in a formal interview, a legal setting, or an argument where someone is setting a firm boundary.
• Example 4:
  • 她毫不犹豫地拒绝了他的求婚。
  • Pinyin: Tā háo bù yóuyù de jùjué le tā de qiúhūn.
  • English: She rejected his marriage proposal without any hesitation.
  • Analysis: The adverb 毫不犹豫地 (háo bù yóuyù de - without hesitation) emphasizes the firmness and decisiveness of the rejection.
• Example 5:
  • 你为什么拒绝我的好意呢？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ wèishéme jùjué wǒ de hǎoyì ne?
  • English: Why do you refuse my good intentions?
  • Analysis: This question implies a sense of hurt or confusion. The speaker offered something with kindness (好意), and the directness of the refusal was unexpected.
• Example 6:
  • 我们有权拒绝任何不合理的要求。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yǒu quán jùjué rènhé bù hélǐ de yāoqiú.
  • English: We have the right to refuse any unreasonable demands.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the use of 拒绝 in the context of rights and principles. It's a formal and powerful assertion.
• Example 7:
  • 虽然我很想帮你，但我不得不拒绝。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán wǒ hěn xiǎng bāng nǐ, dàn wǒ bùdébù jùjué.
  • English: Although I'd really like to help you, I have no choice but to refuse.
  • Analysis: Here, the speaker softens the blow by expressing regret before using the strong word 拒绝. This is a polite way to be firm and direct.
• Example 8:
  • 他拒绝承认自己的错误。
  • Pinyin: Tā jùjué chéngrèn zìjǐ de cuòwù.
  • English: He refuses to admit his own mistake.
  • Analysis: This usage is more abstract, rejecting a concept (admitting a mistake) rather than a tangible offer. It implies stubbornness.
• Example 9:
  • 该系统将拒绝无效的密码。
  • Pinyin: Gāi xìtǒng jiāng jùjué wúxiào de mìmǎ.
  • English: The system will reject invalid passwords.
  • Analysis: A technical and impersonal use of 拒绝. It simply means the system is programmed not to accept something.
• Example 10:
  • 我拒绝被这种消极思想影响。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jùjué bèi zhè zhǒng xiāojí sīxiǎng yǐngxiǎng.
  • English: I refuse to be influenced by this kind of negative thinking.
  • Analysis: This is a statement of personal resolve. The speaker is making a strong, internal decision to reject a negative influence.

• Mistake: Using 拒绝 for casual invitations. This is the most common error for learners. If a friend invites you to dinner, do not say “我拒绝你” (Wǒ jùjué nǐ). This sounds extremely harsh and rude, as if you are rejecting them as a person.
  • Incorrect: 我拒绝你的晚饭邀请。(Wǒ jùjué nǐ de wǎnfàn yāoqǐng.) - “I reject your dinner invitation.” (Very harsh)
  • Correct (Indirect/Polite): 不好意思，我今天晚上有别的事。(Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ jīntiān wǎnshàng yǒu bié de shì.) - “Sorry, I have other plans tonight.”
• False Friend: `拒绝` vs. “No”. `拒绝` is a verb meaning “to refuse/reject.” It is not a standalone “no.” To simply say “no,” you would use `不 (bù)` or `不是 (bú shì)`. Using `拒绝` by itself is grammatically incorrect.
• `拒绝` vs. `不同意` (bù tóngyì): These are easily confused.
  • `拒绝 (jùjué)` is an action of rejecting a request, offer, or help. (e.g., “I reject your proposal.”)
  • `不同意 (bù tóngyì)` is a state of mind of disagreeing with an opinion or idea. (e.g., “I disagree with your viewpoint.”)

• 接受 (jiēshòu) - To accept; to receive. The direct antonym of 拒绝.
• 同意 (tóngyì) - To agree; to consent. The antonym of 不同意, and often used in contexts opposite to 拒绝.
• 推辞 (tuīcí) - To decline (politely); to make an excuse. This is the softer, more socially graceful way to refuse something. Often the better choice in casual situations.
• 反对 (fǎnduì) - To oppose; to be against. Stronger than `不同意`, usually used for plans, policies, or proposals. It's about opposition to an idea, whereas 拒绝 is about turning down a specific offer or request made to you.
• 不行 (bù xíng) - “Not okay,” “it won't work,” “no way.” A very common and direct, but often informal, way to say no. Less formal than 拒绝.
• 算了 (suàn le) - “Forget it,” “never mind.” A way to drop a subject, which can function as a soft refusal or withdrawal of a request.
• 委婉 (wěiwǎn) - Tactful; indirect; euphemistic. The preferred communication style when declining something to save face.
• 面子 (miànzi) - “Face”; social standing, prestige, and honor. The key cultural concept that explains why direct refusal with 拒绝 can be problematic.