Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Denial in Spanish: Negación
Negación · noun (feminine) · neh-gah-SYOHN
The Spanish word for denial is 'negación,' a feminine noun that covers refusing to accept reality, denying a claim, or rejecting something. In grammar, 'negación' also refers to the concept of negation. The word 'rechazo' is used when denying a request, while 'desmentido' applies to formally denying statements or rumors.
Say neh-gah-SYOHN with three syllables and the stress on the final one. The accent mark on the 'o' signals this stress pattern.
Su negación de los hechos sorprendió a todos.
His denial of the facts surprised everyone.
Denial in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for denial, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| negación | denial | neh-gah-SYOHN | Default, widely understood |
| rechazo | denial | used when denying a request or application | |
| desmentido | denial | used for a formal denial of claims |
How Native Speakers Use Negación
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Psychological context
Está en una fase de negación después de la pérdida.
She is in a phase of denial after the loss.
Describing a stage of grief.
Legal statement
El abogado presentó una negación formal de todas las acusaciones.
The lawyer filed a formal denial of all the charges.
A legal proceeding.
Everyday conversation
Su negación constante del problema solo lo empeora.
His constant denial of the problem only makes it worse.
Discussing someone who refuses to face reality.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Negación
Wrong gender
Incorrect: El negación fue inmediato.
Correct: La negación fue inmediata.
'Negación' is feminine, requiring 'la' and feminine adjective endings like 'inmediata.'
Using negación for rejection
Incorrect: Recibí una negación de la universidad.
Correct: Recibí un rechazo de la universidad.
When talking about being rejected or turned down, 'rechazo' is more appropriate than 'negación,' which focuses on denying facts or claims.
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Common Questions About Denial in Spanish
- What is the difference between negación and rechazo?
- 'Negación' refers to denying facts, claims, or reality, while 'rechazo' specifically means the rejection of a proposal, request, or application.
- Is negación used in grammar?
- In Spanish grammar, 'negación' refers to the grammatical concept of making sentences negative, typically using words like 'no,' 'nunca,' 'nada,' or 'nadie.'
- How do you say 'in denial' in Spanish?
- The phrase 'en negación' or 'en fase de negación' captures the psychological sense of being in denial, refusing to accept a painful truth or difficult situation.