Japanese word

退く

Pronunciation

Romajishirizoku

Meaning

  • verbmove back

Example

人が通るので、一歩退きます。hito ga tō ru no de ichi ho shirizo ki ma su

Someone is passing, so I will move back one step.

Illustration for 退く (move back)

More examples

後ろから自転車が来たので、道の端まで退きました。ushi ro ka ra ji ten sha ga ki ta no de michi no hashi ma de shirizo ki ma shi ta

A bicycle was coming from behind, so I moved to the side of the road.

Core concept

It expresses moving away from a position toward the rear, often to yield space or avoid remaining in the way.

Common phrases

  • 一歩退くip po shirizo ku

    take a step back

  • 後ろに退くushi ro ni shirizo ku

    move backward

Similar words

下がるsagaru: To move backward or away from a place, person, or position.
引き下がるhikisagaru: To withdraw from a place, demand, or disagreement without continuing to oppose it.
後ずさるatozusaru: To move backward while keeping the body facing forward.

Definition in Japanese

前に出ていた位置から後方へ移動する。mae ni de te i ta i chi ka ra kō hō e i dō su ru

Word origin

The native Japanese form 尻退く (shirizoku) joins 尻 (shiri, "rear") and 退く (noku, "move away"); 退く (shirizoku) is its established written form.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, this verb can describe ordinary movement in a crowded place, so it covers stepping aside as well as withdrawing from a conflict.

Other meanings

  • retreatverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word