Level 6

거절하다

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Meaning and Usage

The verb '거절하다' means 'to refuse' or 'to reject' something such as an offer, request, or invitation. It is a formal verb often used in polite or neutral contexts.

Common Contexts

You will frequently hear '거절하다' in situations involving social invitations, business proposals, or requests where someone declines politely or firmly.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 거절하다 + 제안/초대/부탁: to refuse an offer/invitation/request
  • 정중하게 거절하다: to refuse politely
  • 거절할 수 없다: cannot refuse (often implying difficulty in saying no)

Nuances

Using '거절하다' implies a clear decision to say no, often with some formality. It differs from softer expressions like '싫다' (dislike) or '안 하다' (not do). Learners should avoid confusing '거절하다' with '거부하다', which can sound stronger or more official.

Common Mistake

A common mistake is to use '거절하다' in very casual conversations where simpler expressions like '안 할래' or '싫어' might be more natural. Reserve '거절하다' for formal or semi-formal contexts.

Example Sentences

그는 제안을 정중하게 거절했다.

Geuneun je-an-eul jeongjunghage geojeolhaetda.

He politely refused the offer.

거절하기 어려운 부탁이었지만, 결국 거절할 수밖에 없었다.

Geojeolhagi eoryeoun butak-ieotjiman, gyeolguk geojeolhal subakke eopseotda.

It was a request hard to refuse, but in the end, I had no choice but to reject it.

그녀는 계속되는 초대를 거절하지 못했다.

Geunyeoneun gyesokdoeneun chodaereul geojeolhaji mothaetda.

She couldn't refuse the continuous invitations.