撤回

• Reading: てっかい
• Romaji: tekkai
• Kanji breakdown: 撤 (tetsu) — withdraw, remove; 回 (kai/mawa) — return, revolve
• Pronunciation: /tek.kai/

Meaning

Withdrawal; retraction; revocation. The act of officially taking back a statement, proposal, or order that was previously made.

A suru-verb noun (撤回する) used in formal and official contexts — politics, law, business, and diplomacy. Implies the cancellation of something already put into effect or stated, distinguishing it from simply not proceeding. A more decisive term than 取り消し in formal settings.

Examples

1. 大臣は問題発言を撤回するよう求められた。 The minister was called upon to retract the problematic remark.
2. 提案を撤回した背景には複雑な事情があった。 There were complex circumstances behind the withdrawal of the proposal.
3. 一度出した命令を撤回することで信頼を失った。 Retracting an order once issued caused a loss of trust.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, law, business negotiations

Tone: authoritative

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound of 撤 (withdraw, remove) and 回 (return, revolve). Together they suggest pulling something back to where it came from.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional