倒退 dàotuì to fall back
to fall back; to go in reverse
How to remember 倒退: 倒 collapse + 退 to retreat = to fall back.
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How it is used
- To move backwards or regress - physically 倒退一步 (dàotuì yī bù) step back, or figuratively 历史倒退 (historical regression).
- Read dào (reverse). Distinct from 后退 (hòutuì, retreat) in stressing going in reverse against progress.
- Often critical when figurative: describing decline, backsliding to a worse state.