In Western, particularly American culture, direct denial is often expected and valued as a sign of honesty and forthrightness. If you don't explicitly deny an accusation, it can be interpreted as an admission of guilt. While `否认` is the direct tool for this, its use in Chinese culture can be more nuanced. Chinese culture often prioritizes social harmony (和谐, héxié) and protecting everyone's “face” or dignity (`面子`, miànzi). A forceful, direct `否认` can be seen as highly confrontational and may cause the other person to lose face, escalating a conflict. Therefore, in less formal or personal situations, Chinese speakers might opt for more indirect ways to disagree or deny something. Instead of saying, “I deny that I was late,” one might say, “There might have been some traffic,” or “Did I misunderstand the time?” This avoids a direct clash. However, in formal, official, or legal contexts, `否认` is used just as it is in English: to make a clear, unambiguous rejection of a charge or statement. Its use signals that the situation is serious and a clear line is being drawn.
`否认` is a common word in formal communication but should be used with care in casual conversation due to its strong and serious tone.