Meaning and Usage
"倒退" (dàotuì) primarily means "to move backward" or "to regress." It can describe physical movement, such as walking backward, or metaphorical regression, such as economic or social setbacks.
Common Contexts
- Physical movement: describing someone stepping or moving backward.
- Metaphorical use: describing decline or regression in progress, development, or conditions.
Collocations and Patterns
- 经济倒退 (economic regression): used to describe economic decline.
- 倒退一步 (take a step back): can be literal or figurative, meaning to retreat or reconsider.
- 社会倒退 (social regression): refers to setbacks in social progress.
Usage Notes
When used metaphorically, "倒退" often carries a negative connotation, implying loss or decline. It contrasts with "进步" (progress). In physical contexts, it simply describes backward movement without judgment.
Avoid confusing "倒退" with "退后"; the latter emphasizes retreating or stepping back, often in a physical or tactical sense, while "倒退" can be broader, including regression in abstract contexts.