Word
打ち消す
Meaning in Englishto deny, to negate
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
打ち消す means to negate or deny. It denotes the act of erasing the validity of a statement, claim, or effect by direct refutation, countering, or cancellation, typically with Xを打ち消す or 噂を打ち消す to express rejection or falsification.
Main meanings
- to negate or deny a claim or assertion, especially in formal or journalistic contexts
- to cancel or counteract an effect or impression by refuting or dispelling it
- to refute an argument by presenting contrary evidence or reasoning
How to use it
Used in formal and informal contexts. Collocations include Xを打ち消す, such as 事実を打ち消す or 噂を打ち消す; in journalism or debate it marks a deliberate negation; in everyday speech it can express dispelling a misconception.
Variants and close terms
- 否定する — hitei suru
- 反論する — hanron suru
- 取り消す — torikesu
Composition
- 打つ: to strike, hit; in 打ち, the continuative form connects to 消す, creating a sense of erasing by action
- 消す: to erase, extinguish; carries the meaning of removing or negating something from existence
Etymology
打つ + 消す combine via the continuative form 打ち to form 打ち消す; the compound conveys erasing or negating via action, later metaphorically extended to statements.
Word class
Verb (動詞)