नकार देना

You use this phrase when you are the one doing the rejecting. It follows the object you are rejecting. Usually, you’ll see it paired with the particle को. For example, उसने मेरे सुझाव को नकार दिया (He rejected my suggestion). It works like a standard transitive verb in Hindi. You can change the tense easily: नकार दिया (rejected), नकार रहा है (is rejecting), or नकार देगा (will reject).

This phrase shines in debates or serious discussions. Use it when a boss rejects a project proposal. Use it when a news anchor says a politician denied a rumor. It’s also great for personal boundaries. If someone tries to push a false narrative about you, you नकार देना those claims. It’s strong, clear, and leaves no room for doubt.

Don't use this for small, polite refusals. If a friend offers you tea and you don't want any, don't say मैंने चाय को नकार दिया. That sounds like you're launching a philosophical protest against tea! For daily 'no' moments, stick to मना करना. Also, avoid it in very casual slang-heavy chats unless you're being intentionally dramatic for humor.

The word नकार comes from the Sanskrit root for 'no' or 'negation.' In Indian culture, direct rejection can sometimes be seen as blunt. However, in the modern world of media, law, and business, नकार देना has become the standard way to report a formal denial. It carries a sense of authority and firm stance that is respected in professional circles.

You might hear अस्वीकार करना in very formal settings like a court or a government office. On the flip side, मना कर देना is the casual cousin. If you want to sound more literary, you might encounter खंडन करना, which specifically means to 'refute' or 'debunk' a claim. But for most situations, नकार देना hits that perfect middle ground.