Meaning
The kanji 退 captures the idea of moving backward or withdrawing. Fundamentally, it means 'retreat,' 'retire,' 'withdraw,' 'recede,' or 'step back.' Picture it as a movement away from something, whether physically or metaphorically, signaling a departure from a previous position or state. This is a highly versatile kanji, appearing in numerous common Japanese expressions.
Its visual components are worth examining. The kanji 退 consists of two main parts. On the left is 辶 (しんにょう or しんにゅう), the radical for this kanji, strongly associated with movement, walking, or progress along a path. It originally depicted a foot. On the right, we find the component 艮 (ごん/ね). This element typically signifies 'stop,' 'limit,' or 'boundary.' When these two come together, they form a clear visual: movement (辶) halted or restricted (艮), leading to 'retreat' or 'withdrawal.' Imagine walking a path and then being forced to stop or turn back.
This clear connection between its shape and meaning makes 退 quite intuitive once you grasp its components. The kanji isn't about moving forward, but specifically about receding or stepping away. It's essential for expressing diverse forms of withdrawal—from a literal physical retreat to abstract ideas like resigning from a job or experiencing a decline in health. With 10 strokes, it's taught in Japanese elementary schools in the 6th grade, making it a foundational kanji you'll frequently see in both daily life and formal settings.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi, or Chinese-derived readings, are typically used when 退 is part of a compound word, especially those of Chinese origin. For 退, the primary On'yomi is タイ (TAI).
- タイ (TAI)
タイ (TAI) is the most common On'yomi for 退. It appears in numerous everyday words related to leaving, withdrawing, or retiring, and you'll frequently hear it in business, school, and medical contexts.
- 退学 (taigaku) — withdrawal from school
This compound combines 退 (to withdraw) with 学 (school), literally meaning to withdraw from school, perhaps due to personal reasons or academic difficulties.
- 退職 (taishoku) — retirement, resignation
Here, 退 (to withdraw) is paired with 職 (job), referring to leaving one's employment, whether by choice or due to reaching retirement age. This is an essential term you'll encounter in the workplace.
- 引退 (intai) — retirement (from public life, sports, etc.)
This compound uses 引 (to pull, lead) and 退 (to withdraw), implying pulling oneself back from an active role, often used for public figures, athletes, or artists stepping down from their careers.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Kun'yomi are native Japanese readings, and they often function as standalone verbs or as parts of native Japanese words. For 退, there are several important Kun'yomi that express nuances of retreating or stepping back.
- しりぞ.く (shirizo.ku)
This reading is used for the intransitive verb meaning 'to retreat,' 'to withdraw,' 'to retire,' or 'to step back.' It describes the subject moving backward, often due to a threat or a decision to concede. This is a frequently used and important verb.
- 退く (shirizoku) — to retreat, to withdraw, to step back
Example: 敵が退く (teki ga shirizoku) — The enemy retreats. You might use this when describing someone moving away from a dangerous situation.
- しりぞ.ける (shirizo.keru)
This is the transitive verb form, meaning 'to repel,' 'to drive back,' or 'to dismiss.' It describes an action done to something or someone else, causing them to retreat or be removed. This shows an active effort to push something back.
- 退ける (shirizokeru) — to repel, to drive back, to dismiss
Example: 敵を退ける (teki o shirizokeru) — To repel the enemy. You might hear this in news reports or historical accounts.
- ひ.く (hi.ku) and の.く (no.ku), の.ける (no.keru)
These readings are less common for 退 as a standalone verb in contemporary usage, but they can appear in older texts or specific contexts. ひ.く (hiku) can mean 'to pull back' or 'recede,' while の.く (noku) means 'to move aside,' and の.ける (nokeru) means 'to remove' or 'get rid of.' You're more likely to encounter them with other kanji or as part of compound verbs where 退 adds a nuance of withdrawal or removal, rather than 退 being read solely this way. For practical N2 purposes, it's best to focus on タイ, しりぞく, and しりぞける, as these are the most frequently encountered.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 退 is exceptionally versatile, forming many essential compound words in Japanese that reflect various situations of withdrawal, retirement, or removal. This section presents common and useful examples, categorized by theme, to help you better understand their contexts and expand your vocabulary for the JLPT N2 and beyond.
Related to Leaving & Retirement
- 退職 (taishoku) — retirement, resignation
This is a fundamental term for leaving one's job, whether voluntarily or mandatorily. You'll hear it often in business news.
- 引退 (intai) — retirement (from sports, public life)
Often used for athletes, politicians, or entertainers who step down from their active careers. It implies a public announcement.
- 定年退職 (teinen taishoku) — mandatory retirement
This specifically refers to retirement due to reaching a set age, common in many Japanese companies. It's an important part of Japanese employment culture.
- 退学 (taigaku) — withdrawal from school
Permanently leaving an educational institution before graduation. It can be for various reasons, from financial to personal.
- 退院 (taiin) — discharge from hospital
When a patient is officially released from the hospital after receiving medical treatment. A happy word for recovery!
Related to Receding & Declining
- 後退 (kōtai) — retreat, regression, setback
Movement backward, either literally (e.g., a military retreat) or figuratively (e.g., economic regression, a setback in negotiations).
- 退化 (taika) — degeneration, atrophy, regression
Biological or functional decline, moving backward in development or evolving to a simpler form. Often used in scientific or philosophical contexts.
- 減退 (gentai) — decline, decrease, ebb
A reduction or fading, often used for strength, appetite, interest, or enthusiasm. For example, 食欲減退 (shokuyoku gentai) means loss of appetite.
Related to Dismissal & Evasion
- 退場 (taijō) — exit, leaving (a venue), dismissal (from a game)
Leaving a specific place, like a stage or arena, or being sent off in sports due to a foul. You'll hear this a lot in sports commentary!
- 退避 (taihi) — evacuation, taking refuge
Moving to a safe place to escape danger, such as a natural disaster or conflict. A critical term for disaster preparedness.
- 撤退 (tettai) — withdrawal, retreat, evacuation
Often used in military contexts for troop withdrawal or for businesses pulling out of a market or project. It implies a strategic retreat.
Verbs using Kun'yomi
- 退く (shirizoku) — to retreat, to withdraw, to step back
A fundamental intransitive verb for physical or metaphorical retreat. Remember, the subject itself is doing the retreating.
- 退ける (shirizokeru) — to repel, to drive back, to dismiss
The transitive form, meaning to actively make someone or something retreat or to push them away. You are the one causing the retreat.
Example Sentences
仕事が終わったので、すぐに退社しました。
Shigoto ga owatta node, sugu ni taisha shimashita.
Since work was finished, I left the office right away.
体調が悪くて、残念ながらパーティーを退席しました。
Taichō ga warukute, zannen nagara pātī o taiseki shimashita.
I wasn't feeling well, so unfortunately I had to leave the party.
彼は高齢のため、会社を退職することになりました。
Kare wa kōrei no tame, kaisha o taishoku suru koto ni narimashita.
He decided to retire from the company due to his advanced age.
新しい技術の登場により、旧来の方法は退廃していくでしょう。
Atarashii gijutsu no tōjō ni yori, kyūrai no hōhō wa taihai shite iku deshō.
With the advent of new technology, traditional methods will likely decline.
危ないから、一歩退いてください。
Abunai kara, ippo shirizoite kudasai.
It's dangerous, so please take one step back.
その選手は怪我のため、試合を途中で退場しました。
Sono senshu wa kega no tame, shiai o tochū de taijō shimashita.
That player left the game midway due to an injury.
警察が到着すると、群衆は徐々に退いていきました。
Keisatsu ga tōchaku suru to, gunshū wa jojo ni shirizoite ikimashita.
When the police arrived, the crowd gradually retreated.
彼は長年の功績を称えられ、華々しく引退しました。
Kare wa naganen no kōseki o tataerare, hanabanashiku intai shimashita.
He was honored for his many years of service and retired magnificently.
津波の注意報が出たため、沿岸住民は高台へ退避しました。
Tsunami no chūihō ga deta tame, engan jūmin wa takadai e taihi shimashita.
Because a tsunami warning was issued, coastal residents evacuated to higher ground.
経済が後退する中で、企業は厳しい状況に直面しています。
Keizai ga kōtai suru naka de, kigyō wa kibishii jōkyō ni chokumen shite imasu.
Amidst an economic recession, companies are facing a tough situation.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 退, consider its components: 辶 (the 'path' or 'movement' radical) on the left, and 艮 (the 'stop' or 'limit' component) on the right. Imagine happily walking along a winding path (辶) towards a beautiful destination. Suddenly, you encounter a huge, impassable rock or a 'stop' sign (艮) that completely blocks your way, forcing you to turn around and move backward. You have no choice but to retreat or withdraw from your journey. So, you're on a 'path' (辶) but hit a 'stop' (艮), making you 'retreat.' This vivid story of being forced to turn back on a path due to a barrier should help you cement the meaning of 'retreat,' 'retire,' or 'withdraw' for 退.