die Ablehnung
rejection
The act of rejecting or not accepting a request, an offer, a proposal, or an application.
EXAMPLE
Die Ablehnung seiner Bewerbung hat ihn sehr enttäuscht.
The rejection of his application disappointed him greatly.
die Ablehnung
rejection
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Meanings
die Ablehnung
rejection
A negative attitude or a feeling of aversion toward a person, thing, or idea.
EXAMPLE
Seine neuen Ideen stießen im Team auf große Ablehnung.
His new ideas met with strong rejection in the team.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Ablehnung' (the rejection) is the noun form of the separable verb 'ablehnen' (to reject). It describes the action or result when you say 'no' to something.
EXAMPLE
Leider musste die Bank meinen Kreditantrag ablehnen.
Unfortunately, the bank had to reject my loan application.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning from the context: If it is about a formal decision (application, request), it means rejection. If it is about feelings or social reactions (toward people, ideas), it means a negative attitude.
EXAMPLE
Er erhielt eine schriftliche Ablehnung von der Universität.
He received a written rejection from the university.
Typical collocations
In the context of formal decisions, 'Ablehnung' (rejection) is often combined with nouns such as 'Antrag' (application/request), 'Angebot' (offer), or 'Bewerbung' (job application). You can 'eine Ablehnung erhalten' (receive a rejection) or 'einen Ablehnungsbescheid bekommen' (get a rejection notice).
EXAMPLE
Die Firma begründete die Ablehnung seiner Bewerbung nicht.
The company did not give a reason for the rejection of his application.
Fixed expression
When an idea or proposal is not accepted, the fixed expression 'auf Ablehnung stoßen' (to meet with rejection) is often used.
EXAMPLE
Der Vorschlag, die Arbeitszeiten zu verlängern, stieß bei den Mitarbeitern auf breite Ablehnung.
The proposal to extend working hours met with broad rejection among the employees.
Compare with
Ablehnung vs Verzicht
renunciation / waiver
Ablehnung and Verzicht can both mean that someone does not accept or use something. Ablehnung emphasizes rejecting an offer or proposal, whereas Verzicht emphasizes voluntarily giving up a possible advantage. Use Ablehnung for a response against something and Verzicht for your own decision not to take it.
Ablehnung
Die Ablehnung des kostenlosen Kurses erfolgte nach kurzer Prüfung.
The rejection of the free course came after a brief review.
Verzicht
Der Verzicht auf den kostenlosen Kurs war ihre freiwillige Entscheidung.
Giving up the free course was her voluntary decision.
In real life
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