Definition
退 (tuì) covers three related actions: returning a purchase, withdrawing from an activity, or declining an offer — all involve backing out of something you were already engaged in. This differs from 拒绝 (jùjué), which is refusing something not yet accepted. For physical retreat, 撤退 (chètuì) is more specific to organized withdrawal.
verb
to return (a purchased item, ticket, etc.)to withdraw from (a competition, course, activity)to decline (an invitation, offer)to reject
Easily confused
- 跟gēnlook-alike(preposition) with; together with; (indicating comparison) compared to
- 推tuīsound-aliketo push
- 追zhuīlook-aliketo chase; to pursue (physically or metaphorically)
- 腿tuǐlook-alikeleg
- 良liánglook-alike(adv, literary) very; used in set phrases before certain adjectives (多, 久, 苦, etc.)
- 根gēnlook-alike(noun) root; basis; origin
Examples
- ，退。Wǒ mǎi de yīfu bù héshì, suǒyǐ qù diàn lǐ tuì le qián.The clothes I bought didn't fit, so I went to the store and got a refund.
- 退。Tā zhège xuéqī tuì le yì mén kè.He withdrew from a course this semester.
- 退。Tā tuì diào le nà ge gōngzuò jīhuì.He turned down that job offer.
Browse more HSK 5 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.