afwezen

Afwezen is a Dutch verb meaning to reject, refuse, or dismiss. The standard infinitive is afwijzen; afwezen is sometimes found as a variant spelling in older texts or certain dialects. The corresponding noun for the act of rejection is afwijzing. The verb is used transitively, with a direct object such as a request, proposal, application, or offer.

Usage and context: Afwijzen appears in administrative, legal, and everyday language. It is common in decisions on applications, loans, or proposals. For example, a government agency might zeggen dat een aanvraag is afgewezen. In passive constructions, one can say “wordt afgewezen” (is rejected) or “werd afgewezen” (was rejected). The term can also describe personal rejection, as in “iemand afwijzen.”

Grammatical notes: Present tense forms include ik wijs af, jij wijst af, hij/zij/het wijst af, wij wijzen af, jullie wijzen af, zij wijzen af. The simple past forms are ik wees af, jij wees af, hij wees af, wij wezen af, jullie wezen af, zij wezen af. The past participle is afgewezen and is used with hebben, e.g., “hij heeft afgewezen.” The passive present is “wordt afgewezen” and the passive past “werd afgewezen.” The imperative singular is “wijs af.”

See also: afwijzing, verwerping, weigering; related terms in the context of administrative decisions or refusals. English equivalents include to reject, to deny, or to refuse.