撤兵

• Reading: てっぺい
• Romaji: teppei
• Kanji breakdown: 撤 (tetsu/no) — to withdraw, remove; 兵 (hei/tsuwamono) — soldier, troops, military
• Pronunciation: /teʔ.peː/

Meaning

Withdrawal of troops; troop pullout. The removal of military forces from an occupied or deployed area.

Used as both a noun and a する-verb (撤兵する). Refers to the physical withdrawal of military personnel from a region, whether as part of a peace agreement, following a ceasefire, or in response to political pressure. Distinguished from 停戦 (ceasefire) in that 撤兵 specifically involves the movement and departure of troops. A key demand in many peace negotiations and anti-war movements.

Examples

1. 平和協定の条件として占領軍の完全な撤兵が求められた。 As a condition of the peace agreement, the complete withdrawal of occupying forces was demanded.
2. 国内の反戦運動が高まり、政府は撤兵を決断した。 As the domestic anti-war movement intensified, the government decided to withdraw its troops.
3. 撤兵後も当該地域の安定化には長い時間がかかった。 Even after the troop withdrawal, it took a long time to stabilise the region.

Usage Guide

Context: military, politics, international relations, diplomacy

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 撤 (to withdraw, to remove) and 兵 (soldier, troops, military). Literally the withdrawal of soldiers from a position.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal