1.
rejection reaction (medical); immune rejection
A medical term for the body's immune response against a transplanted organ or foreign substance.
臓器移植の後、拒否反応が出た。
A rejection reaction occurred after the organ transplant.
免疫抑制剤で拒否反応を抑える。
Immunosuppressants are used to control the rejection reaction.
2.
aversion; strong negative reaction; visceral rejection
Used figuratively to describe a strong instinctive resistance or repulsion toward an idea, change, or situation.
新しい制度に対して拒否反応を示す人が多かった。
Many people showed a strong aversion to the new system.
数学と聞くだけで拒否反応が出る。
Just hearing the word 'math' triggers an aversion in me.
社員たちはシステムの変更に拒否反応を示した。
The employees showed resistance to the system change.
新しい上司のやり方に、最初は拒否反応があったが、徐々に慣れた。
At first there was resistance to the new boss's methods, but people gradually got used to them.
A compound of 拒否 (refusal, rejection) + 反応 (reaction, response). Originally a medical term for immune rejection of transplanted tissue, now widely used figuratively for any strong instinctive aversion.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 拒否反応が出る: a rejection reaction occurs
- 拒否反応を示す: to show a rejection reaction
- 拒否反応を抑える: to suppress a rejection reaction
- 拒否反応を起こす: to cause a rejection reaction
USAGE:
The figurative sense (sense 2) is very common in everyday conversation and media. It describes an almost physical, gut-level resistance to something — stronger than simple dislike.
RELATED TERMS:
- 拒否: refusal, rejection
- 拒絶反応: rejection reaction (more formal medical term)
- 反発: repulsion, opposition — more active resistance