refusal
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refusal
The act or explicit statement by which someone refuses to do something that is demanded or expected of them.
Seine Weigerung, an der Besprechung teilzunehmen, wurde vom Chef nicht gut aufgenommen.
His refusal to take part in the meeting was not well received by the boss.
'Die Weigerung' (the refusal) is the noun corresponding to the verb 'sich weigern' (to refuse). If someone refuses to do something, the result is their refusal.
Er weigerte sich zu zahlen, und diese Weigerung hatte Konsequenzen.
He refused to pay, and this refusal had consequences.
'Die Weigerung' (the refusal) is very often combined with an infinitive with 'zu' to explain what exactly is being refused. The structure is: 'die Weigerung, etwas zu tun' (the refusal to do something).
Ihre Weigerung, den Vertrag zu unterschreiben, überraschte alle.
Her refusal to sign the contract surprised everyone.
A common expression is 'auf Weigerung stoßen' (to meet with refusal), which means that a wish or demand is rejected. You can also 'begründen' (justify) a refusal.
Sein Vorschlag stieß bei der Geschäftsführung auf Weigerung.
His proposal met with refusal from management.
resistance
A Weigerung is the specific decision or explicit statement not to do something. Widerstand, by contrast, describes more extensive active or sustained opposition. Use Weigerung for a single refusal and Widerstand for continued opposition.
Die Weigerung der Beschäftigten, die neue Regel zu akzeptieren, wurde sofort bekannt.
The employees’ refusal to accept the new rule became known immediately.
Der Widerstand der Beschäftigten gegen die neue Regel dauerte mehrere Wochen.
The employees’ resistance to the new rule lasted several weeks.
