Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
谢绝(謝絕)xièjué(xie4jue2)
谢绝 means to politely decline or refuse an offer or invitation. This term is often used in formal contexts, such as in business or social invitations, where maintaining politeness is crucial while still conveying a refusal.
Frequency#27134DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, maintaining face and expressing gratitude, even when refusing, is paramount. 谢绝 reflects this cultural value, highlighting the importance of politeness in interpersonal communication.
Memory Tip
Imagine a polite person at a party holding a sign that says 'No Thanks' (谢绝) while politely shaking their head. The character 谢 has a radical that suggests gratitude (to thank), and 绝 indicates a decisive end (to cut off), together symbolizing a gracious but firm refusal.
Meanings of 谢绝
xièjué(xie4jue2)
1to refuse politely
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 谢绝
谢绝Simplified
謝絕Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#27134Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 谢绝
Podcast: 谢绝
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 谢绝
Quick Contrast
拒绝 (jùjué) - use 谢绝 for formal or polite refusals, while 拒绝 is more direct and can imply a stronger sense of rejection.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a polite person at a party holding a sign that says 'No Thanks' (谢绝) while politely shaking their head. The character 谢 has a radical that suggests gratitude (to thank), and 绝 indicates a decisive end (to cut off), together symbolizing a gracious but firm refusal.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when using 谢绝, as it should be delivered with a respectful demeanor. It’s commonly used in formal invitations and business settings. Avoid using it in casual contexts where a simple 'no' would suffice.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 谢绝 builds on the foundational vocabulary of earlier levels, emphasizing the importance of politeness in communication. Students should practice using it in role-playing scenarios to enhance their comfort in formal exchanges.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, maintaining face and expressing gratitude, even when refusing, is paramount. 谢绝 reflects this cultural value, highlighting the importance of politeness in interpersonal communication.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 谢绝 with 取消 (qǔxiāo), which means to cancel rather than refuse. For example, saying '我谢绝这个会议' (wǒ xièjué zhège huìyì) when you mean to cancel a meeting should instead use 取消.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 谢绝
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 谢绝 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 谢绝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 谢绝
谢绝 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我____了他的提议。
I thanked him for the offer but turned it down.
Example Sentences for 谢绝 (6)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我谢绝了他的提议。
wǒ xiè jué le tā de tí yì。
I thanked him for the offer but turned it down.
2
我们请她来参加我们的晚会, 但是她谢绝了.
wǒ mén qǐng tā lái cān jiā wǒ mén de wǎn huì, , dàn shì tā xiè jué.
We asked her to come to our party, but she declined.
3
当他表示要把那匹可爱的小矮种马给她的时候,她娇滴滴地叹了口气,谢绝了.
dāng tā biǎo shì yào bǎ nà pǐ kě ài de xiǎo ǎi zhǒng mǎ gěi tā de shí hòu, , tā jiāo dī dī dì tàn le kǒu, qì , xiè.
She refused the dear little pony with such a delicate sigh when he offered it.
4
他们于脆闯上门来,而他又太客气,不好意思谢绝. ”
tā mén yú cuì chuǎng shàng mén lái, , ér tā yòu tài kè, qì , bù hǎo yì sī.”
They simply force their way in and he's too polite to object. "
5
路加谢绝了递过来的酒,自己点着一支香烟抽了起来.
lù jiā xiè jué le dì guò lái de jiǔ, , zì jǐ diǎn zháo yī zhī xiāng yān chōu le qǐ.
Luca refused the drink offered to him and lit a cigarette.
6
我甘受拂逆盛情之嫌, 也必须谢绝你的提议.
wǒ gān shòu fú nì shèng qíng zhī xián, , yě bì xū xiè jué nǐ de tí.
At the risk of sounding ungrateful, I must refuse your offer.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
I thanked him for the offer but turned it down.
Tap tokens to build the sentence
Cultural Notes for 谢绝
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, maintaining face and expressing gratitude, even when refusing, is paramount. 谢绝 reflects this cultural value, highlighting the importance of politeness in interpersonal communication.
Frequently Asked Questions about 谢绝
No, 谢绝 is best reserved for formal contexts where politeness is necessary, such as business or official invitations.
Yes, you can use 不要 (bù yào) for a more casual refusal.
Yes, it indicates a firm refusal, so it's important to use it when you do not wish to reconsider.
