fǒurèn: 否认 - To Deny, To Repudiate

• Keywords: fǒurèn, 否认, deny in Chinese, how to say deny in Mandarin, repudiate in Chinese, Chinese verb for deny, negate a claim in Chinese, fǒurèn meaning, HSK 5, Chinese legal terms
• Summary: Learn how to use “否认 (fǒurèn),” the primary Chinese verb for “to deny” or “to repudiate.” This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage. More than a simple “no,” 否认 (fǒurèn) is a strong, often formal term used to reject accusations, claims, or facts in situations ranging from legal proceedings to personal disagreements. Understand the difference between 否认 (fǒurèn), 拒绝 (jùjué - to refuse), and a simple 不 (bù) to master this essential HSK 5 vocabulary word.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fǒurèn
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: 5
• Concise Definition: To deny, repudiate, or disavow a statement, accusation, or fact.
• In a Nutshell: `否认` is the go-to word when you need to formally and strongly reject a claim someone else has made. Think of it as actively pushing back against an assertion. It's not just saying something isn't true; it's the act of declaring its falsehood, especially when you've been accused of something or when confronted with a statement you believe is incorrect. It carries more weight and formality than a simple `不 (bù)`.

• 否 (fǒu): This character means “to negate,” “no,” or “not.” It's the “no” part of the common question structure `是否 (shìfǒu)`, which means “whether or not” (literally “is or is not”).
• 认 (rèn): This character means “to recognize,” “to acknowledge,” or “to admit.” You see it in common words like `认识 (rènshi)` (to know or be acquainted with someone) and the direct antonym `承认 (chéngrèn)` (to admit).
• The combination is perfectly logical: 否 (fǒu) + 认 (rèn) = Not Acknowledge, which directly translates to the meaning of “to deny.”

In Western, particularly American culture, direct denial is often expected and valued as a sign of honesty and forthrightness. If you don't explicitly deny an accusation, it can be interpreted as an admission of guilt. While `否认` is the direct tool for this, its use in Chinese culture can be more nuanced. Chinese culture often prioritizes social harmony (和谐, héxié) and protecting everyone's “face” or dignity (`面子`, miànzi). A forceful, direct `否认` can be seen as highly confrontational and may cause the other person to lose face, escalating a conflict. Therefore, in less formal or personal situations, Chinese speakers might opt for more indirect ways to disagree or deny something. Instead of saying, “I deny that I was late,” one might say, “There might have been some traffic,” or “Did I misunderstand the time?” This avoids a direct clash. However, in formal, official, or legal contexts, `否认` is used just as it is in English: to make a clear, unambiguous rejection of a charge or statement. Its use signals that the situation is serious and a clear line is being drawn.

`否认` is a common word in formal communication but should be used with care in casual conversation due to its strong and serious tone.

• Legal and Official Settings: This is the most common context. A suspect 否认s the charges, a lawyer 否认s the prosecution's claims, a government spokesperson 否认s a rumor. It's standard vocabulary in legal and political reporting.
• Corporate and Public Relations: Companies frequently issue statements to 否认 rumors of a merger, product flaws, or financial trouble. For example, a celebrity's agent might 否认 gossip reported in a magazine.
• Serious Personal Disagreements: Using `否认` with a friend or family member signals a high level of seriousness. If you accuse a friend of borrowing money without asking, and they say `我否认`, the conversation has become very formal and confrontational. It implies, “I formally reject your accusation.”

• Example 1:
  • 他否认了所有对他的指控。
  • Pinyin: Tā fǒurènle suǒyǒu duì tā de zhǐkòng.
  • English: He denied all the allegations against him.
  • Analysis: This is a classic, formal use of `否认`, typical of a legal or official context. `指控 (zhǐkòng)` means “accusations.”
• Example 2:
  • 该公司发言人否认了即将裁员的传闻。
  • Pinyin: Gāi gōngsī fāyánrén fǒurènle jíjiāng cáiyuán de chuánwén.
  • English: The company's spokesperson denied the rumors of impending layoffs.
  • Analysis: Here, `否认` is used to formally reject a `传闻 (chuánwén)`, or rumor. This is common in news and business contexts.
• Example 3:
  • 你还在否认？我亲眼看见你拿了那块蛋糕！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ hái zài fǒurèn? Wǒ qīnyǎn kànjiàn nǐ nále nà kuài dàngāo!
  • English: You're still denying it? I saw you take that piece of cake with my own eyes!
  • Analysis: This demonstrates `否认` in a personal, yet confrontational, context. The speaker is expressing disbelief that the other person continues to deny something so obvious.
• Example 4:
  • 尽管证据确凿，嫌疑人仍然否认有罪。
  • Pinyin: Jǐnguǎn zhèngjù quèzuò, xiányírén réngrán fǒurèn yǒuzuì.
  • English: Despite the conclusive evidence, the suspect still denied his guilt.
  • Analysis: `否认有罪 (fǒurèn yǒuzuì)` is a set phrase meaning “to plead not guilty” or “to deny guilt.”
• Example 5:
  • 我们不能否认科技给我们的生活带来了巨大的便利。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bùnéng fǒurèn kējì gěi wǒmen de shēnghuó dàilái le jùdà de biànlì.
  • English: We cannot deny that technology has brought great convenience to our lives.
  • Analysis: This shows `否认` used in the negative (`不能否认` - cannot deny) to mean “it is an undeniable fact” or “it must be admitted.”
• Example 6:
  • 她否认曾与那家公司有任何联系。
  • Pinyin: Tā fǒurèn céng yǔ nà jiā gōngsī yǒu rènhé liánxì.
  • English: She denied ever having had any connection with that company.
  • Analysis: `否认` is used here to disavow a past connection or relationship. `曾 (céng)` indicates a past action.
• Example 7:
  • 历史事实是不容否认的。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ shìshí shì bùróng fǒurèn de.
  • English: Historical facts cannot be denied.
  • Analysis: `不容否认 (bùróng fǒurèn)` is a strong, formal phrase meaning “undeniable” or “brooks no denial.” It emphasizes the absolute truth of something.
• Example 8:
  • 当被问及此事时，他只是摇头否认，一句话也没说。
  • Pinyin: Dāng bèi wèn jí cǐ shì shí, tā zhǐshì yáotóu fǒurèn, yījù huà yě méi shuō.
  • English: When asked about this matter, he just shook his head in denial and didn't say a word.
  • Analysis: This example shows that `否认` can be an action as well as a statement. `摇头否认 (yáotóu fǒurèn)` means “to shake one's head to deny.”
• Example 9:
  • 你这是在否认我的努力吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zhè shì zài fǒurèn wǒ de nǔlì ma?
  • English: Are you denying my efforts? / Are you discrediting my hard work?
  • Analysis: Here, `否认` takes on the meaning of “discrediting” or “refusing to acknowledge” someone's contribution. It's an emotionally charged question.
• Example 10:
  • 这是不可否认的事实。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì bùkě fǒurèn de shìshí.
  • English: This is an undeniable fact.
  • Analysis: Similar to example 7, `不可否认 (bùkě fǒurèn)` is a common adjectival phrase meaning “undeniable” or “indisputable.”

• `否认 (fǒurèn)` vs. `不 (bù)`: This is the most critical distinction. `不` is a general-purpose negator for verbs and adjectives. `否认` is specifically for rejecting a claim, fact, or accusation.
  • Incorrect: `我否认是中国人。` (Wǒ fǒurèn shì Zhōngguórén.)
  • Correct: `我不是中国人。` (Wǒ bùshì Zhōngguórén. - I am not Chinese.)
  • Correct (but complex): `我否认“我是中国人”这个说法。` (Wǒ fǒurèn “wǒ shì Zhōngguórén” zhège shuōfǎ. - I deny the statement “I am Chinese.”) You only use `否认` when there is a pre-existing statement or accusation to deny.
• `否认 (fǒurèn)` vs. `拒绝 (jùjué)`: This is a common “false friend” trap.
  • `否认 (fǒurèn)` = To deny a claim. It's about truth and falsehood.
  • `拒绝 (jùjué)` = To refuse a request or an action. It's about will and compliance.
  • Example: He denied the accusation. → 他否认了那个指控。 (Tā fǒurènle nàge zhǐkòng.)
  • Example: He refused my invitation. → 他拒绝了我的邀请。 (Tā jùjuéle wǒ de yāoqǐng.)

• 承认 (chéngrèn) - To admit, to acknowledge. The direct antonym of `否认`.
• 拒绝 (jùjué) - To refuse, to reject (an offer, request, or action). Contrasts with `否认`'s focus on claims.
• 反驳 (fǎnbó) - To rebut, to refute. More active than `否认`, as it implies providing counter-arguments, not just a simple rejection.
• 不承认 (bù chéngrèn) - To not admit. Can be a softer, more passive alternative to `否认` in some contexts.
• 抵赖 (dǐlài) - To deny brazenly or shamelessly, especially when guilt is obvious. Carries a very strong negative and dishonest connotation.
• 辩解 (biànjiě) - To explain oneself, to provide an excuse, to justify one's actions (often after being accused).
• 辟谣 (pìyáo) - To refute a rumor, to debunk misinformation. A specific and formal type of denial, commonly used by organizations and officials.
• 声明 (shēngmíng) - To declare, to state. A formal statement is often issued to either `否认` or `承认` something.