keoi5拒

Jyutpingkeoi5

Yalekéuih

語素Uncommon

Definition

To refuse, decline, or reject a request or action.

neutraldaily actionscommunication

How it's used

Standalone usage of this character as a verb is rare in spoken Cantonese, where it almost always appears as part of the disyllabic compound 拒絕. While it carries a formal tone, it is the standard way to express refusal in both professional and everyday contexts. It functions as a direct, neutral way to indicate a lack of consent or a decision not to proceed with an action.

Examples

keoi5佢keoi5拒zyut6絕zo2咗ngo5我ge3嘅jiu1邀cing2請。

He declined my invitation.

nei5你dim2點gaai2解jiu3要keoi5拒zyut6絕keoi5佢aa4呀？

Why did you refuse him?

Common phrases

keoi5拒zyut6絕jiu1要kau4求

to refuse a request

keoi5拒zyut6絕wong5往loi4來

to cut off contact

Common mistake

Learners often try to use this as a standalone verb, but it sounds unnatural or overly literary. Always pair it with 絕 to form 拒絕 in spoken sentences.