Meanings of 退缩
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Podcast: 退缩
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AI study notes for 退缩
退缩 (tuìsuō) vs 逃避 (táobì): choose 退缩 when emphasizing fear-induced hesitation, while 逃避 focuses on avoidance of responsibilities or situations.
Learners often confuse 退缩 with similar expressions like 躲避 (duǒ bì, to evade) or 逃避 (táo bì, to escape), which imply different nuances of avoidance. 退缩 is more about emotional hesitation than physical evasion. It's generally used in informal contexts.
退缩 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, but it connects well with HSK Level 4 words related to emotions and actions, such as 害怕 (hàipà, to be afraid) and 选择 (xuǎnzé, to choose). Focus on understanding its usage in sentences that depict decision-making under pressure.
Learners might mistakenly use 退缩 to describe taking a break or resting. For instance, saying '我需要退缩一下' (Wǒ xūyào tuìsuō yīxià) implies cowering rather than just taking a moment. Correct usage would be '我需要休息一下' (Wǒ xūyào xiūxí yīxià).
Pronunciation of 退缩
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Component characters
How to say to shrink back in Chinese
“to shrink back” in Chinese is退缩
退缩 (tui4 suo1) means to shrink back or cower in response to fear or anxiety. It is often used to describe someone who hesitates or avoids taking action due to intimidation or uncertainty, commonly in both personal and professional contexts.
When to use 退缩
Learners often confuse 退缩 with similar expressions like 躲避 (duǒ bì, to evade) or 逃避 (táo bì, to escape), which imply different nuances of avoidance. 退缩 is more about emotional hesitation than physical evasion. It's generally used in informal contexts.
退缩 or something close to it
退缩 (tuìsuō) vs 逃避 (táobì): choose 退缩 when emphasizing fear-induced hesitation, while 逃避 focuses on avoidance of responsibilities or situations.
What learners get wrong
Learners might mistakenly use 退缩 to describe taking a break or resting. For instance, saying '我需要退缩一下' (Wǒ xūyào tuìsuō yīxià) implies cowering rather than just taking a moment. Correct usage would be '我需要休息一下' (Wǒ xūyào xiūxí yīxià).
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Frequently asked questions about 退缩
You can say, '他在关键时刻退缩了' (Tā zài guānjiàn shíkè tuìsuōle), meaning 'He shrank back at a critical moment.'
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