退役 tuìyì to retire
(of military personnel or athletes) to retire; (of outdated equipment) to be decommissioned
How to remember 退役: 退 to retreat + 役 servant = to retire.
Characters
How it is used
- The specific word for a soldier or athlete ending their service/career - 他去年退役了 (tā qùnián tuìyì le) he retired last year (from the army/sports).
- Not for ordinary jobs: an office worker uses 退休 (tuìxiū). 退役 = leave the military or competitive sport; 退休 = reach retirement age and stop working.
- Also used for equipment being decommissioned: 这艘军舰已退役 (zhè sōu jūnjiàn yǐ tuìyì) this warship has been retired from service.
Example sentences
- 汤姆是一个越军退役军人。 Tāngmǔ shì yígè yuèjūn tuìyìjūnrén.Tom is a Vietnam veteran.