撤退する

• Reading: てったいする
• Romaji: tettai suru
• Kanji breakdown: 撤 (tetsu) — remove, withdraw; 退 (tai) — retreat, withdraw
• Pronunciation: /tet.ta.i.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To withdraw; to pull back from a position, market, or engagement.

A Group 3 (suru) compound verb combining 撤退 (withdrawal/retreat) with する. Used in military contexts (retreating from a position), business (withdrawing from a market), and general situations where someone pulls out of an undertaking. More strategic and deliberate than 逃げる (to flee). Common collocations include 市場から撤退する (to withdraw from a market) and 軍が撤退する (the army withdraws).

Examples

1. その企業はアジア市場から撤退することを発表した。 The company announced it would withdraw from the Asian market.
2. 軍は敵の攻撃を受けて撤退を余儀なくされた。 The military was forced to retreat under enemy attack.
3. 採算が取れず事業から撤退する会社が増えている。 More and more companies are withdrawing from businesses that aren't profitable.

Usage Guide

Context: military, business, news, strategy

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 撤 (tetsu, to remove/withdraw) + 退 (tai, to retreat/step back). Literally 'to remove and retreat,' emphasising an orderly, deliberate pulling back from a position.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional