Usage note
“退”表示向后移动或离开原来的地方，比如退后一步或退出游戏。
“Tuì” biǎoshì xiàng hòu yídòng huò líkāi yuánlái de dìfāng, bǐrú tuì hòu yī bù huò tuì chū yóuxì.
"Return" means to move backward or leave the original place, such as taking a step back or quitting a game.
Context note
在排队时，我们要按顺序，不能随便退后，这样大家才能安全。
Zài páiduì shí, wǒmen yào àn shùnxù, bùnéng suíbiàn tuì hòu, zhèyàng dàjiā cáinéng ānquán.
When queuing, we should follow the order and not step back randomly, so everyone can be safe.
5 examples
请你退后一步。
qǐng nǐ tuì hòu yí bù。
Please step back one step.
他退出了游戏。
tā tuì chū le yóu xì。
He quit the game.
下雨了，我们退到屋里。
xià yǔ le， wǒ men tuì dào wū lǐ。
It rained, so we retreated into the house.
小乌龟把头退进壳里。
xiǎo wū guī bǎ tóu tuì jìn ké lǐ。
The little turtle retracted its head into its shell.
退后一点，让车过去。
tuì hòu yì diǎn， ràng chē guò qù。
Step back a bit to let the car pass.
5 mini stories
小猫咪看到大狗，吓得退了几步。它躲到树后面。
xiǎo māo mī kàn dào dà gǒu， xià dé tuì le jǐ bù。 tā duǒ dào shù hòu miàn。
The little kitten saw a big dog and stepped back in fear. It hid behind a tree.
小朋友在玩滑梯，要退后排队。大家都很听话。
xiǎo péng yǒu zài wán huá tī， yào tuì hòu pái duì。 dà jiā dōu hěn tīng huà。
The children were playing on the slide and needed to step back and line up. Everyone was obedient.
小兔子退到洞里，因为外面下雨了。洞里很安全。
xiǎo tù zi tuì dào dòng lǐ， yīn wèi wài miàn xià yǔ le。 dòng lǐ hěn ān quán。
The little rabbit retreated into its burrow because it was raining outside. The burrow was safe.
小刚在跑步时退了一步，避免摔倒。他继续跑。
xiǎo gāng zài pǎo bù shí tuì le yí bù， bì miǎn shuāi dǎo。 tā jì xù pǎo。
Xiao Gang stepped back while running to avoid falling. He continued running.
小丽退后让妈妈先走。她说“请”。
xiǎo lì tuì hòu ràng mā ma xiān zǒu。 tā shuō “ qǐng ”。
Xiao Li stepped back to let Mom go first. She said "please".
Mini dialogue
退一步
A
请退一步。
Qǐng tuì yí bù.
Please step back.
B
好的，我退一步。
Hǎo de, wǒ tuì yí bù.
Okay, I'll step back.
退货
A
这个玩具可以退吗？
Zhège wánjù kěyǐ tuì ma?
Can this toy be returned?
B
可以，请到那边退。
Kěyǐ, qǐng dào nàbiān tuì.
Yes, please return it over there.
Related words and contrasts
opposite
进
jìn
enter; advance
opposite of 退
similar
后退
hòutuì
retreat; move back
compound word with similar meaning
related
还
huán
return (something)
used when returning an item