How to Write 退 (tuì) — Meaning “to retreat; to withdraw; to return”

Imagine you are walking (辶) backwards because you see a giant root (艮) blocking your path. The root makes you retreat, so you take steps away from it.

Write the left radical 辶 first, which is three strokes: dot, horizontal bend, then the final swooping curve. Avoid making the right part 艮 too wide; keep it compact so the whole character balances.

退 (tuì) means "to retreat" and uses 艮 inside, while 迎 (yíng) means "to welcome" and has 卩 (seal) inside, and 运 (yùn) means "to transport" with 云 (cloud). The different inner components completely change the meaning.

退 appears in everyday words like 退休 (retire from work) and 后退 (step back physically or figuratively). In Chinese culture, 退 can also imply humility or yielding, as in the phrase 退一步海阔天空 (take a step back and the sea and sky are vast).

Common words containing 退 include: 后退 (hòu tuì) — to step back; retreat; 退休 (tuì xiū) — to retire; 退步 (tuì bù) — to regress; to fall behind.