Japanese word

後退

Pronunciation

Romajikōtai

Meaning

  • nounbacking up

Example

車が後退します。kuruma ga kō tai shi ma su

The car is backing up.

Illustration for 後退 (backing up)

More examples

会社は売り上げの後退を食い止めました。kai sha wa u ri a ge no kō tai o ku i to me ma shi ta

The company halted the decline in sales.

Core concept

It centers on losing ground by moving backward from an earlier or more advanced position.

Common phrases

  • 交渉の後退kō shō no kō tai

    a setback in negotiations

  • 後退を食い止めるkō tai o ku i to me ru

    halt the decline

Similar words

退歩taiho: To lose progress or move away from a more advanced state.
退却taikyaku: To withdraw from a position, usually for strategic or safety reasons.
衰退suitai: To decline in strength, importance, or activity over time.

Definition in Japanese

人や物が後ろへ下がること。また、進歩や勢いが衰えること。hito ya mono ga ushi ro e sa ga ru ko to ma ta shin po ya ikio i ga otoro e ru ko to

Word origin

後退 (kōtai) consists of 後 (kō, "behind") and 退 (tai, "withdraw"), forming a word for withdrawal from a forward position.

Usage tips

  • 後退 (kōtai) has a formal tone and is common in reports about business, politics, and social trends, where it marks a setback rather than a simple change of direction.

Other meanings

  • retreatnoun
  • declinenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 後退するkōtaisururetreatverb

Word lists with this word