退却 tuìquè to retreat
to retreat; to shrink back
How to remember 退却: 退 to retreat + 却 but = to retreat.
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How it is used
- To retreat / shrink back - militarily or from difficulty - 面对困难,他从不退却 (miànduì kùnnan, tā cóngbú tuìquè) he never flinches in the face of hardship.
- Military sense (敌军退却 the enemy retreated) plus figurative backing down/losing nerve (临阵退却 to flinch at the last moment).
- 退却 stresses backing away/shrinking from a challenge; 撤退 (chètuì) is the more neutral, tactical military "withdrawal."