否认 (fǒurèn) — to deny; to negate
HSK 4 | verb | to refuse to admit or acknowledge something
否认 (fǒurèn)
否认 means to deny or refuse to acknowledge something, asserting that a claim or accusation is not true.
Meanings
- [verb] to deny, negate, or refuse to acknowledge a fact or accusation
Example Sentences
他否认了所有的指控。 Tā fǒurèn le suǒyǒu de zhǐkòng. He denied all the accusations.
你不能否认这件事情的重要性。 Nǐ bù néng fǒurèn zhè jiàn shìqing de zhòngyào xìng. You cannot deny the importance of this matter.
她否认自己曾经说过那句话。 Tā fǒurèn zìjǐ céngjīng shuō guò nà jù huà. She denied that she had ever said those words.
事实摆在眼前，无法否认。 Shìshí bǎi zài yǎnqián, wúfǎ fǒurèn. The facts are right in front of us and cannot be denied.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 否认指控 | deny an accusation |
| 坚决否认 | firmly deny |
| 无法否认 | cannot deny |
| 否认事实 | deny the facts |
Usage Notes
否认 requires a specific object describing what is being denied, such as a statement, accusation, or fact. It contrasts with 承认 (chéngrèn, to admit or acknowledge). In news and legal contexts, 否认 is very common. The phrase 无法否认 (cannot deny) is used to emphasize undeniable facts.
Memory Hook
否 means "no or negative" and 认 means "to recognize or acknowledge," so 否认 is to say "no" to recognizing something, to deny it.