Meanings of 退步
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 退步
Podcast: 退步
Podcast: 退步
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 退步
退化 (tuìhuà) - use 退步 when referring to a decline in performance or progress, while 退化 emphasizes a biological or fundamental deterioration.
Be careful not to confuse 退步 with its antonym, 进步 (jin4 bu4), which means to progress. This term is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's especially common in educational settings. Remember that 退步 can have a slightly negative connotation.
As an HSK Level 5 word, 退步 is a useful term for discussing progress in various areas of life. Students should focus on using it in sentences that reflect personal or academic setbacks, connecting it with related terms like 进步 (progress) and 发展 (development).
Learners often mistakenly use 退步 in contexts that imply improvement, such as saying '我最近工作退步' (I have recently improved at work), which should instead be '我最近工作进步' (I have recently improved at work).
Pronunciation of 退步
Drill the tone of 退步 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Component Characters
How to say to do less well than before in Chinese
“to do less well than before” in Chinese is退步
退步 (tui4 bu4) means to regress or experience a setback in progress or performance. It is commonly used in both academic and personal contexts, such as when a student performs worse on an exam than before or when someone's skills decline over time.
When to use 退步
Be careful not to confuse 退步 with its antonym, 进步 (jin4 bu4), which means to progress. This term is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's especially common in educational settings. Remember that 退步 can have a slightly negative connotation.
退步 or something close to it
退化 (tuìhuà) - use 退步 when referring to a decline in performance or progress, while 退化 emphasizes a biological or fundamental deterioration.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 退步 in contexts that imply improvement, such as saying '我最近工作退步' (I have recently improved at work), which should instead be '我最近工作进步' (I have recently improved at work).
Write 退步
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 退步 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Cultural Notes for 退步
While both Chinese and Western cultures value progress, the acknowledgment of setbacks (like 退步) is sometimes less openly discussed in Western contexts, where the focus tends to be more on positive outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions about 退步
Yes, 退步 can describe personal setbacks, such as failing to achieve a goal or experiencing a decline in skills.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 退步?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.