Word
退く
Meaning in Englishto retreat, to recede, to withdraw
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Word context
What it means
退く means to move back or away from something, or to withdraw from a duty, position, or situation; it conveys intentional withdrawal rather than being forced.
Main meanings
- withdraw from a position or duty
- step back in a confrontation, competition, or situation
- retreat from public attention or a scene
- to bow out or resign from a role
How to use it
政界の人物が職を退く。軍は戦線から退く。会議を途中で退く。
Variants and close terms
- 下がる (sagaru) – step back
- 辞退する (jitai suru) – decline/withdraw from an opportunity
- 退場する (taijōsuru) – leave the stage
- 撤退する (tettai suru) – retreat
Composition
- 退: retreat/withdraw
- く: verb-ending that marks the native conjugation
Etymology
退 denotes retreat; く is the verb-ending; the kun-reading shirizoku has been the native pronunciation and remains in modern usage, reflecting phonetic stability of this kun-form.
Origin
Classical Japanese; attested in Heian and subsequent periods, used in courtly, military, and literary contexts to describe stepping back from influence or duty.
Word class
verb (五段活用, 自動詞)
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