退却

• Pinyin: tuì què
• Hanzi breakdown: 退 = 辶 (walk) + 艮 (stop); 却 = 去 (go) + 卩 (kneel) — originally 'step back'

Meaning

To retreat; to withdraw; to shrink back. Pulling back from a position, confrontation, or challenge.

Originally a military term for a tactical or forced retreat. In modern usage extends to any situation where a person backs down from a challenge, an argument, or a confrontation. Carries a slightly negative nuance — implying giving up ground one should hold — but can also be used neutrally in military contexts.

Examples

1. 面对困难时一味退却，只会让情况越来越糟。 Doing nothing but retreating in the face of difficulties will only make the situation worse and worse.
2. 敌军在我方猛烈炮火下开始全线退却。 The enemy forces began to retreat across the entire front under our fierce artillery fire.
3. 他本打算当面提出意见，但看到领导的脸色后又退却了。 He had intended to raise his objection face-to-face, but backed down when he saw his leader's expression.

Usage Guide

Context: military, professional, personal challenge

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 遇到挫折不应退却，而要迎难而上。(When facing setbacks, you shouldn't retreat — you should push forward and face the challenge.)
• 在强大的竞争压力下，公司选择了战略性退却。(Under intense competitive pressure, the company chose a strategic withdrawal.)

Don't Say

• 把正常的暂停或休整叫做'退却' (退却 implies conceding ground; a planned pause is 暂停 or 休整, not 退却)

Origin & History

Compound of 退 (retreat) + 却 (push back, but/however). 却 here reinforces the sense of reversal and withdrawal.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal