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How to Say "to retreat" in Spanish

English → Spanish

refugiar

reh-foo-HYAHRrefuˈxjaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'refugiar' when you need to find shelter or take refuge in a safe place from danger or bad weather.
A small rabbit sitting safely inside a hollow wooden log while it rains outside.

Examples

Tuvimos que refugiarnos en un café porque empezó a llover.

We had to take shelter in a cafe because it started to rain.

Después de un largo día, me refugio en mi habitación a leer.

After a long day, I take refuge in my room to read.

El escalador se refugió en una cueva durante la ventisca.

The climber took shelter in a cave during the blizzard.

Reflexive Pronouns

When taking shelter yourself, remember to match the little pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) to the person doing the action.

retirarse

reh-tee-RAHR-sehre.tiˈɾaɾ.se

verbB2general
Use 'retirarse' for a physical withdrawal, such as a military movement away from an enemy or a team leaving a competition.
A runner stopping on a dirt track and stepping off the competitive running path onto the grass, turning their back on the race.

Examples

El equipo tuvo que retirarse del torneo debido a las lesiones.

The team had to withdraw from the tournament due to injuries.

Los soldados se retiraron a una posición más segura después del ataque.

The soldiers retreated to a safer position after the attack.

Movement Away

When used for physical movement, 'retirarse' emphasizes moving oneself away from a previous location, often implying a defensive or intentional action.

retroceder

reh-tro-seh-DEHRretɾoseˈðeɾ

verbB2general
Use 'retroceder' when someone or something is giving up ground, backing down from a stance, or moving backward.
A small goat walking backward away from a larger mountain lion.

Examples

El gobierno no va a retroceder en su reforma educativa.

The government is not going to back down on its education reform.

Ante las amenazas, el equipo decidió retroceder.

Faced with threats, the team decided to retreat.

retirar

reh-tee-RAHRre.tiˈɾaɾ

verbB2general
Use 'retirar' (often reflexively as 'retirarse') when ending an activity, like a professional career or withdrawing a product from the market.
A smiling elderly person relaxing in a comfortable hammock strung between two palm trees on a sunny beach, symbolizing retirement.

Examples

El famoso tenista se retiró después de ganar el campeonato.

The famous tennis player retired after winning the championship.

El general ordenó a sus tropas retirarse a la base.

The general ordered his troops to retreat to the base.

Si te retiras de la carrera, no puedes volver a participar.

If you withdraw from the race, you cannot participate again.

Reflexive Use is Key

When talking about ending a career or withdrawing oneself from a situation, you must use the reflexive form 'retirarse,' meaning the person is performing the action on themselves (e.g., 'me retiro', 'se retira').

Forgetting the 'Se'

Mistake: “Saying 'Mi padre retiró' instead of 'Mi padre se retiró.'”

Correction: If the action is 'to retire from work,' you need the little word 'se' before the verb form: 'Mi padre *se* retiró' (My father retired).

Refugiar vs. Retirar/Retirarse

Learners often confuse 'refugiar' (to seek shelter) with 'retirar' or 'retirarse' (to withdraw physically or stop an activity). Remember that 'refugiar' is about finding safety from an external threat, while 'retirar'/'retirarse' involves moving away from a place, competition, or commitment.

Related Translations

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