Inklingo

How to Say "to retreat" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to retreat” is “retirarse” — use 'retirarse' when a person or group physically withdraws from a place, competition, or activity, often due to external factors like injury or strategic decision..

English → Spanish

retirarse

/reh-tee-RAHR-seh//re.tiˈɾaɾ.se/

verbB2general
Use 'retirarse' when a person or group physically withdraws from a place, competition, or activity, often due to external factors like injury or strategic decision.
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.

retirar

reh-tee-RAHR/re.tiˈɾaɾ/

verbB2general
Use 'retirar' (often reflexively as 'retirarse') when someone steps back from a public role, a competition, or a military engagement, implying a personal decision to cease participation or advance.
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).

retroceder

reh-tro-seh-DEHR/retɾoseˈðeɾ/

verbB2general
Use 'retroceder' when referring to moving backward physically, yielding ground, or backing down from a previous stance or commitment, especially in a negotiation or conflict.
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.

Physical Withdrawal vs. Backing Down

Learners often confuse 'retirarse' and 'retroceder'. Remember that 'retirarse' implies a physical withdrawal or leaving a situation entirely, while 'retroceder' means to move backward or concede a point, often without leaving the overall context.

Related Translations

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