Meaning

Primary

To Refuse

Alternative

To Reject

Word Type

transitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means cut off. What happens when you do the action of cutting someone off? You're going to refuse them whatever it is they want.

Reading

ことわる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Deciding to refuse something unfortunately starts a coat war (like a pillow fight, but everyone hits each other with coats instead of pillows). Coats to the ready, and let the coat war commence!

Context

Context Sentences

その仕事、断るべきだと思う?

Do you think I should refuse the job?

ビエトは次期国務長官に任命されたが、断った。

Viet was appointed as the next Secretary of State, but he refused.

野球の試合の主審を頼まれたけど、断りました。サッカーの試合の主審だったら引き受けたんだけどね。

I was asked to be the chief umpire for a baseball game, but I rejected the offer. I would have done it if it was for the chief referee of a soccer game though.

Kanji Composition