退 (tuì) - to retreat & to withdraw

退Tone 4

tuì ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

婷婉

退 · tuì

to retreat;

to withdraw;

to decline;

to move back;

to return;

to refund

to retreatto withdrawto decline

Usage highlights

to retreatto withdrawto return goodsto step backto retireto recede

Synonyms

  • 撤— to withdraw, to evacuate
  • 退却— to retreat, to withdraw
  • 后退— to move backward

Antonyms

  • 进— to advance, to move forward
  • 前进— to advance, to progress
  • 攻— to attack, to assault

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The army had to retreat (撤退).
  • Please return the product for a refund (退货).
  • He withdrew from the competition (退出比赛).
  • The tide is receding (退潮).
  • Her fever has subsided (退烧).

Collocations

  • to retreat(撤退)
  • to withdraw(退出)
  • to return goods(退货)
  • to step back(退步)
  • to retire(退休)
  • to recede(退潮)

Idioms

  • Advance and retreat are equally difficult(进退两难)
  • Know when to advance and when to retreat(知进知退)
  • No way to advance, no way to retreat(进退维谷)
  • Retreat in order to advance(以退为进)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese military strategy, tactical retreat (退) is often valued as a wise move to preserve strength.
  • The concept appears in Daoist philosophy advocating yielding and retreating as a way to ultimately prevail.
  • In social etiquette, politely declining or withdrawing (退让) is considered a virtue showing humility.

FAQ