退

• Pinyin: tuì
• Hanzi breakdown: 退 = 辶 (walk) + 艮 (boundary, phonetic) — to walk back

Meaning

To retreat; to withdraw; to return or give back. Describes moving backward or returning something.

A versatile verb with multiple uses: physically moving backward (退后, step back), returning goods (退货), refunding money (退钱), or declining/fading (退色, to fade). Often combined with other characters to form compound verbs.

Examples

1. 这件衣服太小了，我想退掉。 This piece of clothing is too small — I want to return it.
2. 请大家往后退一步。 Please everyone take a step back.
3. 水退了以后，街道上到处是泥。 After the water receded, the streets were covered in mud.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, shopping

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个东西可以退吗？(Can this item be returned?)
• 洪水已经退了。(The floodwaters have receded.)

Don't Say

• 我要退回家。(Don't use 退 for going home — use 回. 退 implies retreating or going backward, not simply returning to a place.)

Origin & History

Composed of 辶 (walk) and 艮 (boundary/limit), suggesting walking back to a boundary — the idea of retreating or withdrawing.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal