后退

• Pinyin: hòu tuì
• Hanzi breakdown: 后 — rear; backward; 退 = 彳(step radical) + 艮 (phonetic; resist/stop) — to step back and stop

Meaning

To retreat; to move backward; to step back. Physical or figurative movement away from a position.

Used both literally (physically moving backward) and figuratively (yielding ground in a negotiation, retreating from a position or principle). 不后退一步 (not retreating a single step) is a common expression of resolve. In strategic contexts it can also mean withdrawing forces or conceding territory.

Examples

1. 面对对方的强硬施压，谈判代表寸步不让，明确表示在核心利益问题上绝不后退。 Facing the other side’s hardline pressure, the negotiators refused to budge, making it clear they would never retreat on core interests.
2. 消防员们向燃烧的建筑物推进，直到热浪实在难以承受才不得不后退几步。 The firefighters advanced toward the burning building, and only when the heat became unbearable did they have to step back a few paces.
3. 历史证明，在原则问题上轻易后退往往会导致更大的让步，最终损害整体利益。 History has shown that backing down easily on matters of principle often leads to even greater concessions and ultimately harms overall interests.

Usage Guide

Context: negotiation, military, physical movement, principle

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 队伍遭遇埋伏之后，指挥官迅速判断形势，果断下令全部后退至安全地带重新整顿，避免了更大的伤亡损失。(After the unit was ambushed, the commander quickly assessed the situation and decisively ordered a full retreat to a safe zone to regroup, avoiding greater casualties.)
• 在竞争激烈的市场环境中，品牌形象一旦后退就很难重新赢回消费者的信任，因此必须持续保持高品质标准。(In a fiercely competitive market, once a brand's image retreats it is very difficult to regain consumers' trust — which is why maintaining consistently high quality standards is essential.)

Don't Say

• 后退 when 倒退 is meant — 倒退 implies regression or going backward in terms of progress or standards, while 后退 is more neutral and refers to physical or tactical withdrawal; the two are not interchangeable in figurative contexts

Origin & History

后 (rear; backward) + 退 (withdraw; retreat) — to move in the direction of the rear

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal