威爾斯美語板橋分校

The two words refuse and reject seem very similar, and they are indeed often listed as synonyms for each other. In addition, both can be verbs and nouns.

refuse 和 reject 二字外形相當接近, 而且二者也的確常被列為同義字. 此外, 兩者都可作動詞和名詞用.

Vocabulary
1. indeed (adv.) 確實
2. synonym (n.) 同義字

However, there is a subtle difference between the two. Refuse is used to say that you make a deliberate choice not to do or accept something.

然而, 這兩字之間卻有細微的差異. [ refuse(拒絕) ] 用於說明你斟酌後選擇不做或不接受某事.

Vocabulary
1. subtle (adj.) 微妙的
2. deliberate (adj.) 蓄意的; 審慎的

However, if it is an idea or belief that you do not agree with, you must use the word reject. You could not say, for example, that you refuse an idea. Instead, you would say that you reject that concept or thought.

然而, 如果你不認同某個想法或信仰, 你就必須用[ reject(否決) ]這個字. 舉例來說, 你不能說你拒絕某個想法, 而要說你否決那個概念或觀點.

Vocabulary
1. belief (n.) 信仰
2. concept (n.) 概念

Look at the example sentences to get a better idea of how to use refuse and reject properly.

看看例句, 以對於如何正確使用[拒絕]和[否決]有更清楚的了解.

Refuse:
Tom refused a second cup of coffee.
Tom回絕了第二杯咖啡.
Kate was fired for refusing to follow the company’s new rules.
Kate因為拒絕遵守公司的新規定而被開除.

Reject:
Ken rejected the idea of a world without crime.
Ken否定了世界無犯罪想法.
Alice rejected her parents’ strict religious beliefs.
Alice無法認同她父母嚴格的宗教信仰.

Vocabulary
1. properly (adv.) 正確地
2. crime (n.) 罪行
3. strict (adj.) 嚴格的
4. religious (adj.) 宗教的

摘自:生活英語圖解大百科 Workplaces & Social Occasions