Skip to content

negativa

refusal, denial

noun neh-gah-TEE-bah Less Common
Communication Responses

Origin: From Latin negativam.

Usage Note

Negativa is the noun form of negativo, meaning a flat refusal or an official denial (una negativa rotunda = 'a flat refusal'). It should not be confused with negativo as a photographic negative (that is un negativo). In formal registers it often appears in phrases like su negativa a declarar ('her refusal to testify').

Examples

"Su negativa a cooperar sorprendió al equipo."

Natural Translation

His refusal to cooperate surprised the team.

Explore Spanish by topic