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退休 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
退休tuìxiūto retireHSK 5, v, 15 strokes, rank #2661, Hard
退休tuìxiūretirement (from work)HSK 5, v, 15 strokes, rank #2661, Hard
tuìxiū(tui4xiu1)tui xiu T4
  1. 1to retire
  2. 2retirement (from work)
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March 24, 2026

退休tuìxiū(tui4xiu1)

退休 (tui4 xiu1) refers to the process of leaving one's job or ceasing to work, typically due to reaching a certain age or after a long period of service. This term is commonly used when discussing retirement policies, pensions, and the lifestyle changes that accompany retirement.

Strokes15Frequency#2661DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, retirement is often seen as a significant life transition, and many people look forward to it as a time to pursue hobbies or spend time with family. The government has policies regarding retirement ages that reflect societal values on work and family.

Memory tip

Think of '退休' as 'tui' meaning 'to push away' (like pushing away work) and 'xiu' as 'to rest'. Imagine a tired worker pushing away their desk to finally rest and enjoy leisure time.

Meanings of 退休

tuìxiū(tui4xiu1)
1to retire
2retirement (from work)
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 退休

退休Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2661Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2BCT✓CEFRA2

Podcast: 退休

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Podcast: 退休

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AI study notes for 退休

Quick Contrast

退休 (tuìxiū) vs 离职 (lízhí) — use 退休 when referring specifically to retirement due to age or long service, while 离职 is for resigning from a job without the retirement context.

Usage Notes

This term is primarily used in formal contexts, especially when discussing work-related matters. Common collocations include 退休金 (retirement pension) and 退休生活 (retirement life). Be mindful of the tone; mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 退休 connects with other vocabulary related to work and life transitions. Students should focus on understanding its usage in conversations about work and retirement planning.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 退休 with 休息 (to rest), mistakenly using '我退休了' (Wǒ tuìxiū le) in contexts that mean 'I am resting'. The correct usage would specify retirement, as in '我已经退休了' (I have already retired).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 退休

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Component characters

退tuìto retreat
HSK 59 strokes辶
View full entry
休Xiūto rest
HSK 26 strokes亻
View full entry

How to say to retire in Chinese

“to retire” in Chinese is退休tuìxiū

退休 (tui4 xiu1) refers to the process of leaving one's job or ceasing to work, typically due to reaching a certain age or after a long period of service. This term is commonly used when discussing retirement policies, pensions, and the lifestyle changes that accompany retirement.

When to use 退休

This term is primarily used in formal contexts, especially when discussing work-related matters. Common collocations include 退休金 (retirement pension) and 退休生活 (retirement life). Be mindful of the tone; mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning entirely.

退休 or something close to it

退休 (tuìxiū) vs 离职 (lízhí) — use 退休 when referring specifically to retirement due to age or long service, while 离职 is for resigning from a job without the retirement context.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 退休 with 休息 (to rest), mistakenly using '我退休了' (Wǒ tuìxiū le) in contexts that mean 'I am resting'. The correct usage would specify retirement, as in '我已经退休了' (I have already retired).

Write 退休

退
休

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Grammar patterns of 退休

退休 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons3
Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

由于身体不好，所以爸爸打算提前____。

Because of poor health, Dad plans to retire early.

Example sentences for 退休 (10)

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1
坎贝尔公司的总裁退休后，麦戈文被选定为继任者。

kǎn bèi ěr gōngsī de zǒngcái tuìxiū hòu， mài gē wén bèi xuǎn dìng wèi jì rèn zhě。

When the chairman of Campbell's retired, McGovern was named as his successor.
2
退休金在过去20年中有了实际增长。

tuìxiūjīn zài guòqù20 nián zhōng yǒu le shíjì zēngzhǎng。

Pensions have increased in real terms over the last twenty years.
3
退休以后，克罗在好几个问题上都与总统意见相左。

tuìxiū yǐhòu， kè luō zài hǎo jǐ gè wèntí shàng dōu yǔ zǒngtǒng yìjiàn Xiāng zuǒ。

Since his retirement, Crowe has differed with the President on several issues.
4
很多成功女性不想60岁就领养老金退休。

hěn duō chénggōng nǚxìng bù xiǎng60 suì jiù lǐngyǎng lǎo jīn tuìxiū。

Many successful women do not want to be pensioned off at
5
无后顾之忧而能提早退休当是件幸事。

wú hòugùzhīyōu ér néng tízǎo tuìxiū dāng shì jiàn xìng shì。

It would be nice to be able to afford to retire earlier.
6
我下个月退休。他们要我养老去了。

wǒ xiàgèyuè tuìxiū。 tāmen yào wǒ yǎnglǎo qù le。

I'm retiring next month. They're putting me out to pasture.
7
他一生中最后的14年是在退休中度过的。

tā yìshēng zhōng zuìhòu de14 nián shì zài tuìxiū zhōng dùguò de。

He spent the last fourteen years of his life in retirement.
8
今年我们办公室已有二人退休.

jīnnián wǒmen bàngōngshì yǐ yǒu èr rén tuìxiū.

We've had two retirements in our office this year.
9
她将于10月1日退休。

tā jiāng yú10 yuè1 rì tuìxiū。

She is to retire as from 1 October.
10
工作只会增加，不会减少。梦想着35岁退休是彻底没戏了。

gōngzuò zhī huì zēngjiā， bù huì jiǎnshǎo。 mèngxiǎng zhe35 suì tuìxiū shì chèdǐ méi xì le。

There will be more work to do, not less. Bang goes the fantasy of retirement at

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Frequently asked questions about 退休

You can say '他已经退休了' (Tā yǐjīng tuìxiū le) which means 'He has already retired.'

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