इनकार करना
to decline
Literalmente: to do refusal
Use this phrase to politely but firmly decline offers or requests in professional or serious social settings.
En 15 segundos
- Used to decline offers, invitations, or requests politely.
- Combines the noun 'refusal' with the verb 'to do'.
- More formal than 'mana karna' but less stiff than 'asweekar karna'.
Significado
This phrase is used when you want to say 'no' to an offer, a request, or an invitation. It is the standard, polite way to decline or refuse something formally or semi-formally.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Declining a job offer
उसने नौकरी के प्रस्ताव से इनकार कर दिया।
He declined the job offer.
Refusing to help a friend (with a reason)
मैंने उसकी मदद करने से इनकार नहीं किया, बस मैं व्यस्त था।
I didn't refuse to help him; I was just busy.
Texting a friend about a party
पार्टी में आने से इनकार मत करना!
Don't say no to coming to the party!
Contexto cultural
In Indian culture, direct refusal is often softened to maintain social harmony. Using 'Inkaar karna' is a way to be definitive yet respectful. It has a poetic quality due to its Urdu origins and is frequently used in literature and music to describe unrequited love or principled stands.
The 'Se' Connection
Always remember to use the particle `से` (se) before `इनकार करना`. It's like saying 'refusal *from* something' in the Hindi logic.
Don't be a Robot
If a friend asks if you want water, don't use this phrase. It's too heavy. Just say 'Nahi, shukriya' (No, thanks).
En 15 segundos
- Used to decline offers, invitations, or requests politely.
- Combines the noun 'refusal' with the verb 'to do'.
- More formal than 'mana karna' but less stiff than 'asweekar karna'.
What It Means
इनकार करना is your go-to phrase for saying 'no' to an offer or request. It is more than just a word; it is an action. Think of it as the formal way to decline something gracefully. It comes from the Persian-Arabic roots of Urdu, giving it a touch of elegance. When you use this, you are not just saying 'no,' you are making a clear decision. It is the 'no thanks' of the Hindi-speaking world, but with a bit more weight behind it.
How To Use It
This is what we call a 'compound verb.' You take the noun इनकार (refusal) and pair it with the verb करना (to do). Usually, you use the preposition से (se) or के लिए (ke liye) before it. For example, प्रस्ताव से इनकार करना means to refuse a proposal. It is very versatile! You can conjugate it for any tense. If you already said no, you would say इनकार कर दिया. If you are currently saying no, it is इनकार कर रहा हूँ. It fits into sentences just like any other action verb.
When To Use It
Use it when you need to be clear but polite. It is perfect for professional emails, formal invitations, or serious conversations. If a recruiter offers a job you do not want, use this. If someone asks for a favor you cannot fulfill, this is your best friend. It is also used in legal or news contexts when someone denies a charge or a claim. It carries a certain dignity that a simple 'nahi' (no) lacks. It is great for setting boundaries without starting a fight.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for simple 'Yes/No' questions. If someone asks 'Are you hungry?', do not say मैं इनकार करता हूँ. That sounds like a character in a historical drama! Just say नहीं (nahi). Also, avoid it with very close friends for tiny things. Using it when someone offers you a piece of gum might sound a bit too dramatic or cold. For those casual 'nah' moments, stick to the friendlier cousin of this phrase.
Cultural Background
In many parts of India, saying a direct 'no' is considered slightly blunt or even rude. Many people will say 'I will try' or 'I will see' just to avoid the awkwardness of a refusal. However, इनकार करना provides a linguistic bridge. It allows you to be firm without being aggressive. It is a way to maintain 'Lihaz' (etiquette) while standing your ground. Interestingly, you will hear this phrase constantly in Bollywood movies—usually when a hero's proposal is rejected or a villain refuses to surrender!
Common Variations
The most common casual alternative is मना करना (mana karna). You will hear this 90% of the time in daily street Hindi. If you want to go super formal, like in a government letter or a legal document, use अस्वीकार करना (asweekar karna). There is also ठुकराना (thukrana), which is much more intense. It means to 'spurn' or 'reject' someone harshly. Save that one for your dramatic breakup scenes!
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral-to-formal. In very casual settings with family, 'Mana karna' is preferred. Always pair it with the postposition 'se' for the object being refused.
The 'Se' Connection
Always remember to use the particle `से` (se) before `इनकार करना`. It's like saying 'refusal *from* something' in the Hindi logic.
Don't be a Robot
If a friend asks if you want water, don't use this phrase. It's too heavy. Just say 'Nahi, shukriya' (No, thanks).
The Soft Refusal
In India, if someone uses this phrase with you, they are being very clear. If they say 'I'll try,' they are actually trying to decline without using this phrase!
Ejemplos
6उसने नौकरी के प्रस्ताव से इनकार कर दिया।
He declined the job offer.
A standard professional use of the phrase.
मैंने उसकी मदद करने से इनकार नहीं किया, बस मैं व्यस्त था।
I didn't refuse to help him; I was just busy.
Using the negative to clarify intentions.
पार्टी में आने से इनकार मत करना!
Don't say no to coming to the party!
A common way to playfully pressure a friend to join an event.
क्या तुम सच में इस पिज्जा से इनकार कर सकते हो?
Can you really say no to this pizza?
Using the phrase for something trivial to be funny.
उसने मेरी बात सुनने से ही इनकार कर दिया।
She refused to even listen to me.
Shows a total breakdown in communication.
समय की कमी के कारण हमें शादी के निमंत्रण से इनकार करना पड़ा।
Due to lack of time, we had to decline the wedding invitation.
A polite way to explain a refusal.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'I refused the money.'
मैंने पैसों से ___ कर दिया।
`इनकार कर दिया` means 'refused'. `स्वीकार` means 'accepted' and `प्यार` means 'love'.
Which verb usually follows 'इनकार'?
इनकार ___
`इनकार करना` is a fixed collocation meaning 'to refuse'.
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Ayudas visuales
Ways to Say 'No' in Hindi
Used with friends and family for daily things.
मना करना (Mana karna)
Safe for most social and work situations.
इनकार करना (Inkaar karna)
Used in official documents or speeches.
अस्वीकार करना (Asweekar karna)
To reject or spurn someone completely.
ठुकराना (Thukrana)
When to use 'इनकार करना'
Job Interview
Declining a salary offer
Social Event
Declining a dinner invite
Legal/News
Denying an allegation
Daily Life
Refusing a persistent salesperson
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasमना करना (mana karna) is very common and casual. इनकार करना (inkaar karna) sounds slightly more formal and is often used for more serious refusals.
Yes! You can say उसने अफवाहों से इनकार किया (He denied the rumors). It works for both declining offers and denying claims.
Yes, it is perfectly polite. However, adding a reason before it makes it even more professional, like व्यस्त होने के कारण... (Due to being busy...).
You would say मैं इनकार नहीं कर सकता (Main inkaar nahi kar sakta). This is a common way to say an offer is too good to pass up!
Not necessarily. It is a neutral act of refusal. It only feels negative if the context of the refusal is hurtful.
The opposite is स्वीकार करना (sweekar karna), which means 'to accept'.
It has Arabic origins and came into Hindi through Urdu. This is why it sounds a bit more sophisticated than some other words.
Yes, for example: उसने काम करने से इनकार कर दिया (He refused to work).
All the time! A very famous line is इकरार करें या इनकार करें (Should I confess my love or refuse?).
Yes, but usually for slightly more important things, like declining a trip or a meeting.
Frases relacionadas
मना करना
to refuse (casual)
अस्वीकार करना
to reject/decline (formal)
ठुकराना
to spurn/kick away (emotional)
सहमति देना
to give consent (opposite)
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