Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Deny" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "deny", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
打ち消す
うちけす (uchikesu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
否定する
ひていする (hiteisuru)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "deny" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 打ち消す and 否定する.
In Japanese, 打ち消す (うちけす (uchikesu)) is typically associated with "to deny, to negate, to contradict" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 事実ではないと強く否定すること。特に噂や批判などに対して使われます。To strongly deny something as untrue, often used for rumors or criticisms..
On the other hand, 否定する (ひていする (hiteisuru)) maps to "to deny, to negate" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "deny" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "打ち消す"
彼はその噂をきっぱりと打ち消した。
He flatly denied the rumor.
Bilingual Context for "否定する"
毎日、日本語を練習するために否定する。
Every day, I deny, to negate to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼はその噂をきっぱりと打ち消した。" (Meaning: "He flatly denied the rumor.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "打ち消す" fits here because it means "to deny, to negate, to contradict" in the context of: "He flatly denied the rumor.". "否定する" represents "to deny, to negate".