거절

The Korean word 거절 (geo-jeol) is a fundamental noun that translates to 'refusal' or 'rejection' in English. It describes the moment you decide not to accept an offer, a request, or an invitation.

Think of 거절 as the linguistic equivalent of a 'no.' Whether you are turning down a job offer or simply declining a second slice of cake, this word covers the entire spectrum of saying no. It is a very common term used in both daily conversation and formal business settings.

Using this word helps you set boundaries. In Korean culture, 거절 is often handled with extreme politeness to maintain social harmony, which is why you will often see it paired with apologetic language.

The word 거절 is a Sino-Korean word (Hanja: 拒絶). The first character 拒 (geo) means 'to resist' or 'to oppose,' while the second character 絶 (jeol) means 'to cut off' or 'to end.'

Historically, these characters were used to describe the act of physically barring someone or ending a relationship. Over centuries, the meaning softened into the standard way to express the act of declining something.

Because it is rooted in Hanja, it shares a structural logic with many other formal Korean words. It is not just a simple 'no'; it carries a sense of finality or a firm boundary being established. Understanding its components makes it easier to see why it feels more 'official' than just saying 'aniyo' (no).

You will most frequently encounter 거절 in the form of a verb phrase: 거절하다 (to refuse). In casual speech, you might hear people say '거절이야' (it's a refusal), but usually, it is used as a formal noun.

Common collocations include 거절을 당하다 (to be rejected/to have one's request refused) and 거절을 하다 (to perform a refusal). In professional settings, it is common to hear phrases like '정중한 거절' (a polite refusal) to soften the blow of a negative response.

The register of this word is neutral to formal. If you are talking to a close friend, you might use simpler phrases, but in an office or when dealing with strangers, 거절 is the standard, respectful term to use.

While 거절 is a noun, it appears in several fixed expressions. 1. 거절할 수 없는 제안 (An offer you can't refuse) – Often used jokingly to mean something very attractive. 2. 단호한 거절 (A firm refusal) – Used when someone says no without any room for negotiation. 3. 거절의 의사 (The intention to refuse) – A very formal way of stating one's position. 4. 거절을 거듭하다 (To refuse repeatedly) – Used when someone keeps saying no to the same request. 5. 거절을 표하다 (To express a refusal) – A formal way of saying someone has made their 'no' known.

거절 is a noun. To turn it into a verb, you add the suffix -하다 (to do), making it 거절하다. This is a very common pattern for Sino-Korean nouns.

Pronunciation-wise, it is pronounced 'geo-jeol.' The 'geo' sounds like the 'gu' in 'gum,' and 'jeol' has a soft 'j' sound followed by an 'l' that touches the roof of your mouth. There is no plural form as it is an abstract concept.

When using it in a sentence, it often acts as the object of a verb. For example, 'I received a refusal' would be '거절을 받았다.' It is a straightforward word that doesn't require complex articles or pluralization, making it quite learner-friendly.