退役

• Pinyin: tuì yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 退 = 辶 (walk) + 艮 (stop); 役 = 彳 (step) + 殳 (weapon) — a soldier on the march

Meaning

To retire from military service; to be decommissioned. Formally leaving active duty in the armed forces or being taken out of service.

Used for both people (soldiers, veterans retiring from active service) and equipment (aircraft, ships, weapons being decommissioned). A veteran is called a 退役军人. In sports commentary, also occasionally borrowed to describe a sports star retiring — though 退役 in that context has a slightly playful nuance.

Examples

1. 他服役二十年后光荣退役，回到家乡开办了一家农场。 After twenty years of service, he retired with honour and returned to his hometown to open a farm.
2. 这型战机已经服役四十年，即将正式退役。 This type of fighter jet has been in service for forty years and is about to be officially decommissioned.
3. 退役军人的社会安置和心理健康问题日益受到重视。 The social resettlement and mental health of veterans is receiving increasing attention.

Usage Guide

Context: military, news, government

Tone: matter-of-fact

Do Say

• 他是一名光荣的退役老兵，参加过抗洪抢险。(He is an honoured veteran who participated in flood-relief operations.)
• 这批老旧设备将于年底统一退役更新。(This batch of old equipment will all be decommissioned and replaced by year's end.)

Don't Say

• 把退役和辞职混用 (退役 applies specifically to military service or formal decommissioning; leaving a civilian job is 辞职 or 离职)

Origin & History

Compound of 退 (withdraw, leave) + 役 (military service, duty). Together mean 'leave military duty.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal