Usage of 退
The character 退 primarily means 'to retreat' or 'to withdraw,' often used in military or conflict contexts, such as armies retreating from battle. It also commonly appears in everyday situations to indicate stepping back or moving away physically or metaphorically.
Another frequent use is in the context of quitting or dropping out, such as 退学 (tuìxué), meaning to drop out of school. This usage extends to resigning or withdrawing from commitments.
In conversational Chinese, 退 can be used metaphorically to suggest compromise or yielding, as in 请你退一步, which means 'please take a step back' to facilitate negotiation or harmony.
Common Collocations
- 退学 (tuìxué): to drop out of school
- 退役 (tuìyì): to retire from military service
- 退让 (tuìràng): to yield or concede in an argument
- 退步 (tuìbù): to regress or deteriorate
Notes
退 is often contrasted with 进 (jìn, to advance). When used in social or negotiation contexts, 退 implies a voluntary concession rather than forced withdrawal. Avoid confusing 退 with 放弃 (fàngqì, to give up), which has a stronger sense of abandonment.