撤

• Pinyin: chè
• Hanzi breakdown: 撤 = 扌 (hand) + 徹 (thorough, phonetic)

Meaning

To withdraw; to remove; to retreat. Used for removing people, things, or positions.

Versatile verb covering physical withdrawal (troops), removal (dishes from table), and cancellation (charges, posts). Common in both formal and informal contexts.

Examples

1. 部队接到命令立即撤退。 The troops received orders to retreat immediately.
2. 服务员把空盘子撤走了。 The waiter cleared away the empty plates.
3. 领导把他从这个项目组撤下来了。 The boss removed him from this project team.

Usage Guide

Context: military, everyday, work

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 撤！这里太危险了。(Retreat! It's too dangerous here.)
• 案子撤了，他不用坐牢了。(The case was dropped; he doesn't have to go to prison.)

Don't Say

• 撤这本书 (撤 implies removing from a position or place — for putting away a book, use 收起来)

Origin & History

Originally meant to remove or take away. 撤 contains 扌 (hand) and 徹 (phonetic, related to thoroughness).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal