At the A1 level, you can think of 후퇴하다 as a fancy way to say 'go back.' While you won't use it every day like 'go' or 'come,' you might see it in simple games or stories about soldiers. Imagine you are playing a game where you move pieces on a board. If a piece has to go back because it lost a turn, that is a form of '후퇴.' It is a verb made of '후퇴' (retreat) + '하다' (to do). For now, just remember that it means moving away from the front to the back. You can use it in simple sentences like '군인이 후퇴해요' (The soldier retreats). It's helpful to recognize the '후' sound, which often means 'after' or 'back' in Korean words.
At the A2 level, you should start to distinguish 후퇴하다 from other movement verbs. You might encounter it in basic history lessons or news headlines. At this stage, you can use it to describe a team losing ground in a sport or a character in a movie running away from a fight. You should also learn the basic past tense: '후퇴했어요.' It is important to know that this word is more formal than '뒤로 가요' (go back). If you are reading a simple news article about the economy and see '경제가 후퇴했다,' you can understand that things are getting worse, not better. Try to use it when talking about strategic games or formal situations where someone has to step back from a plan.
At the B1 level, you can use 후퇴하다 in more abstract contexts. You should be able to discuss social issues or business strategies using this word. For example, you might say '우리의 계획이 후퇴했다' (Our plan has retreated/stalled). You will also notice it used with grammar patterns like '-기로 결정했다' (decided to) or '-지 않을 수 없었다' (couldn't help but). This level requires understanding that '후퇴' isn't always a bad thing; it can be a 'tactical retreat' to prepare for something better. You should also be able to recognize the noun form '후퇴' and how it acts as a subject or object in a sentence. This is also a good time to compare it with '물러나다' and see how '후퇴하다' feels more 'official.'
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 후퇴하다 in professional and academic settings. You will hear it in discussions about democracy, human rights, or economic cycles. You should understand the nuance that 후퇴 implies a reversal of progress. For instance, '민주주의의 후퇴' (the retreat of democracy) is a common phrase in political science. You should also be able to use the causative form '후퇴시키다' (to make someone/something retreat) to describe how one force affects another. At this level, you should also be aware of historical contexts like the '1.4 후퇴' and how the word carries emotional and historical weight for Koreans. Your usage should reflect an understanding of register—using it in reports but opting for '물러나다' in casual chats.
At the C1 level, you should master the subtle distinctions between 후퇴, 퇴보, and 철수. You can use 후퇴하다 to describe complex geopolitical shifts or philosophical regressions. You might analyze a text where '후퇴' is used metaphorically to describe a character's psychological state or a moral decline. You should be able to use it in written essays with high-level connectors like '그럼에도 불구하고 후퇴할 기미가 보이지 않는다' (Despite that, there's no sign of retreating). Your understanding of the Hanja (後退) will help you connect it to other related words like '후방' (rear) or '퇴각' (withdrawal/retreat). You should also be able to critique the use of the word in media, noting when it is used as hyperbole.
At the C2 level, you use 후퇴하다 with the precision of a native speaker or a specialized scholar. You can discuss the '후퇴' of glaciers in a scientific context, the '후퇴' of legal precedents in a law seminar, or the '후퇴' of artistic movements. You understand the historical baggage the word carries in the Korean peninsula and can use it in high-level diplomatic or military discourse. You can handle complex sentence structures where '후퇴' is part of a multi-clause argument about the cyclical nature of history. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for nuanced expression, allowing you to distinguish between a strategic '후퇴' and an inevitable '퇴보' with absolute clarity.

후퇴하다 في 30 ثانية

  • 후퇴하다 means to retreat or move back strategically.
  • It is commonly used in military, economic, and social contexts.
  • The word is more formal than '물러나다' and implies forced or planned movement.
  • It comes from Hanja 後 (back) and 退 (withdraw).

The Korean verb 후퇴하다 (hutoehada) is a cornerstone of both historical narrative and modern strategic discussion. At its most basic level, it means 'to retreat' or 'to move backward.' However, its usage is far more nuanced than simply walking in reverse. It is primarily used when an entity—be it an army, a sports team, or even an abstract concept like an economy—moves back from a forward position, often due to pressure, defeat, or strategic necessity. The word is composed of two Hanja characters: 後 (후) meaning 'back' or 'behind,' and 退 (퇴) meaning 'to step back' or 'withdraw.' Together, they form a powerful image of stepping away from the front line.

Military Context
In military history, this word is used to describe a tactical withdrawal. It is not always a sign of total defeat; sometimes, a group must 후퇴하다 to regroup and prepare for a stronger counter-attack. In the context of the Korean War, the term '1.4 후퇴' (The January 4th Retreat) is a significant historical event that every Korean student learns about.
Economic and Social Context
When the economy shrinks or social progress stalls, journalists often say the country is '후퇴하고 있다' (is retreating/regressing). It implies a loss of ground that was previously gained with great effort.

적군이 강한 공격을 받고 후퇴하기 시작했습니다.

(The enemy forces began to retreat after receiving a strong attack.)

Understanding 후퇴하다 requires recognizing its formal tone. While you might use '물러나다' (mulleonada) in casual conversation to tell someone to step back, 후퇴하다 is reserved for more serious, structured, or large-scale movements. It is a word you will frequently encounter in news broadcasts, history books, and formal debates regarding policy and strategy.

민주주의가 후퇴하고 있다는 비판이 있습니다.

(There is criticism that democracy is regressing/retreating.)
Strategic Nuance
In chess or competitive gaming, moving a piece back to a safer position is a form of 후퇴. It suggests a calculated decision rather than a panicked flight.

우리는 더 큰 승리를 위해 잠시 후퇴하기로 했습니다.

(We decided to retreat for a moment for a greater victory.)

In summary, 후퇴하다 is a versatile verb that bridges the gap between physical movement and abstract regression. Whether you are discussing a battlefield, a boardroom, or a political movement, this word captures the essence of stepping back from a challenge or a position previously held.

Using 후퇴하다 correctly involves understanding its grammatical placement and the particles that typically accompany it. As a verb ending in -하다, it follows standard conjugation rules, but its formal nature means it is often found in -습니다 or -어요 forms. The subject is usually a group, an organization, or an abstract noun representing a status or condition.

The Destination Particle
When specifying where someone is retreating to, use the particle -로 (to/towards). For example, '기지로 후퇴하다' (to retreat to the base).

군대는 안전한 지역으로 후퇴했다.

(The army retreated to a safe area.)

When discussing abstract regression, the subject is often marked with -이/가. For instance, '경제가 후퇴하다' (the economy is regressing). Here, the word functions similarly to 'decline' or 'fall back.'

Conjunctions and Intent
Commonly paired with -기로 하다 (decide to) or -지 않을 수 없다 (cannot help but). This highlights the decision-making process behind a retreat.

폭풍 때문에 우리는 후퇴하지 않을 수 없었다.

(Because of the storm, we had no choice but to retreat.)

In a causative sense, if you want to say someone 'made' someone else retreat, you would use 후퇴시키다. This is very common in sports commentary when one team's defense forces the other team back.

우리 팀의 수비가 상대 공격수를 후퇴시켰습니다.

(Our team's defense forced the opponent's attacker to retreat.)

Finally, consider the contrastive use. Often, 후퇴하다 is used in a sentence alongside its opposite, 전진하다 (to advance), to show a dynamic situation.

전진할 것인가, 아니면 후퇴할 것인가? 그것이 문제입니다.

(To advance, or to retreat? That is the question.)
Formal Reporting
In news reports, the noun form 후퇴 is often used with '하다' omitted in headlines: '경제 성장 후퇴' (Economic growth retreat/regression).

While 후퇴하다 might seem like a word only found in dusty history books, it is surprisingly active in modern Korean life. You will encounter it in several distinct environments, each giving the word a slightly different 'flavor.'

News and Politics
This is perhaps the most common place to hear the word. News anchors use it to describe setbacks in negotiations, social policies, or diplomatic relations. If a peace talk fails, they might say '대화가 후퇴했다' (the dialogue has retreated/regressed).

이번 정책은 인권 보호 측면에서 후퇴했다는 평을 듣고 있습니다.

(This policy is being criticized for regressing in terms of human rights protection.)

In the world of K-Dramas, particularly historical dramas (Sa-geuk), 후퇴하다 is a staple. Commanders shout it during epic battle scenes. However, in modern office dramas, it might be used metaphorically when a project loses its momentum or a character has to back down from a confrontation with a superior.

Sports Commentary
In soccer or martial arts, if a player is forced back by the opponent's pressure, the commentator will shout '후퇴하고 있습니다!' It conveys a sense of being overwhelmed or taking a defensive stance.

상대 선수의 압박에 우리 선수가 잠시 후퇴하며 기회를 엿보고 있습니다.

(Our player is retreating momentarily under the opponent's pressure, looking for an opportunity.)

In Business and Finance, the word describes market trends. If stock prices fall significantly after a period of growth, it might be termed a '후퇴' (retreat/pullback). It sounds more professional and analytical than just saying the price 'dropped.'

시장이 과열되자 투자자들이 후퇴하는 모습을 보였습니다.

(As the market overheated, investors showed signs of pulling back/retreating.)
Video Games
In strategy games like StarCraft or League of Legends, players often use the command '후퇴!' to tell their teammates to pull back from a fight they cannot win.

While 후퇴하다 is a useful word, learners often trip over its specific usage boundaries. The most common error is using it in place of other 'backward movement' words that have different nuances.

Mistake 1: 후퇴하다 vs. 후진하다
As mentioned before, 후진하다 is for vehicles. If you tell a driver to '후퇴하세요,' they might understand you, but it sounds like you're commanding a military tank rather than a sedan. Use 후진 when parking a car.

❌ 차를 후퇴해 주세요. (Wrong)
✅ 차를 후진해 주세요. (Correct)

Another common pitfall is using 후퇴하다 for simple physical movements, like stepping back to let someone pass. In these cases, 물러나다 (mulleonada) or 뒤로 가다 (dwiro gada) is much more natural. 후퇴하다 implies a larger strategic or forced movement.

Mistake 2: Using it for 'Regret'
Because '후' (hu) sounds like the beginning of 후회하다 (huhoehada - to regret), beginners sometimes mix them up. Remember: 후퇴 is about movement/regression, 후회 is about emotions.

❌ 저는 그 결정을 후퇴해요. (I retreat that decision - Nonsense)
✅ 저는 그 결정을 후회해요. (I regret that decision.)

Learners also sometimes forget that 후퇴하다 is an intransitive verb in its base form. You don't 'retreat something'; you just 'retreat.' If you want to say you 'pushed something back,' you must use the causative 후퇴시키다.

Mistake 3: Formality Mismatch
Using 후퇴하다 in a very casual setting, like playing tag with a child, is technically possible but sounds overly dramatic or 'bookish.' In casual play, stick to '뒤로 도망가!' (Run away to the back!) or '비켜!' (Move!).

아이들이 놀이터에서 후퇴하며 놀았다. (Sounds like a military documentary about kids.)

To truly master 후퇴하다, you should understand how it compares to its synonyms and near-synonyms. Korean has many ways to describe 'moving back,' and choosing the right one depends on the register and context.

물러나다 (Mulleonada)
This is the most common and versatile synonym. It can mean to step back physically, to resign from a position (사퇴하다), or to withdraw. It is less formal than 후퇴하다 and more common in daily speech.
철수하다 (Cheolsuhada)
Specifically used for 'withdrawing' troops, businesses, or equipment from a location. While 후퇴 is the act of moving back during a struggle, 철수 is the organized act of leaving a place entirely. Example: '미군이 철수했다' (The US army withdrew/evacuated).

기업이 해외 시장에서 철수하기로 결정했습니다.

(The company decided to withdraw from the overseas market.)
퇴보하다 (Toebohada)
This is the direct opposite of 'progress' (발전하다). It is used for abstract concepts like technology, skills, or civilization. If 후퇴하다 is a 'retreat' in space or status, 퇴보하다 is a 'regression' in quality or development.

관리를 안 하면 실력이 퇴보할 수 있습니다.

(If you don't maintain it, your skills can regress.)

In a casual setting, you might simply use 뒤로 가다 (to go back). This is the simplest way to describe physical movement without any of the heavy connotations of war or economic failure.

Summary Table
  • 후퇴하다: Strategic/Formal (Battle, Economy)
  • 물러나다: General/Versatile (Step back, Resign)
  • 철수하다: Organized exit (Troops, Business)
  • 퇴보하다: Quality regression (Skills, Technology)
  • 후진하다: Mechanical (Cars, Machines)

دليل النطق

UK hu.tʰwe.ha.da
US hu.tʰwe.ha.da
Stress is generally even across syllables in Korean, but a slight emphasis may fall on 'toe' (퇴).
أخطاء شائعة
  • Pronouncing 'toe' like English 'toe' (rhymes with go). In Korean, it is 't' + 'we' (as in wet).
  • Making the 'h' too strong like a German 'ch'.
  • Confusin

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

군인이 뒤로 후퇴해요.

The soldier retreats to the back.

Simple present tense with -해요.

2

우리는 후퇴했어요.

We retreated.

Past tense -했어요.

3

후퇴하지 마세요!

Don't retreat!

-지 마세요 (prohibition).

4

적이 후퇴합니까?

Is the enemy retreating?

Question form -합니까?

5

빨리 후퇴하세요.

Please retreat quickly.

Imperative -하세요.

6

강아지가 후퇴해요.

The puppy is backing away.

Subject + verb.

7

팀이 후퇴해요.

The team retreats.

Group noun as subject.

8

여기서 후퇴해요.

Retreat from here.

-에서 (from) location particle.

1

비가 와서 군대가 후퇴했습니다.

The army retreated because it rained.

-아서/어서 (reason).

2

우리는 산으로 후퇴하기로 했어요.

We decided to retreat to the mountain.

-기로 하다 (decide to).

3

상대방이 너무 강해서 후퇴했어요.

The opponent was too strong, so we retreated.

-아서/어서 (reason).

4

후퇴하는 것은 나쁜 게 아니에요.

Retreating is not a bad thing.

-는 것 (nominalization).

5

그들은 밤에 몰래 후퇴했습니다.

They retreated secretly at night.

Adverb '몰래' (secretly).

6

언제 후퇴해야 합니까?

When should we retreat?

-해야 하다 (must/should).

7

안전한 곳으로 후퇴합시다.

Let's retreat to a safe place.

-읍시다 (let's).

8

그는 후퇴하고 싶지 않았어요.

He didn't want to retreat.

-고 싶지 않다 (don't want to).

1

경제 지표가 지난달보다 후퇴했습니다.

Economic indicators retreated compared to last month.

-보다 (comparison).

2

우리는 더 큰 승리를 위해 잠시 후퇴했다.

We retreated for a moment for a greater victory.

-을 위해 (for the sake of).

3

적군은 강가로 후퇴할 수밖에 없었다.

The enemy had no choice but to retreat to the river.

-을 수밖에 없다 (no choice but to).

4

정치적 상황이 과거로 후퇴하고 있다.

The political situation is retreating to the past.

-고 있다 (progressive).

5

후퇴하기 전에 짐을 모두 챙기세요.

Pack all your bags before retreating.

-기 전에 (before).

6

후퇴하면 모든 것을 잃게 됩니다.

If you retreat, you will end up losing everything.

-게 되다 (become/end up).

7

그들은 후퇴할 기회를 엿보고 있다.

They are looking for an opportunity to retreat.

Idiom '기회를 엿보다'.

8

명령 없이 후퇴해서는 안 됩니다.

You must not retreat without an order.

-어서는 안 된다 (must not).

1

정부는 비판 여론에 밀려 정책을 후퇴시켰다.

The government, pushed by critical public opinion, scaled back (retreated) its policy.

Causative -시키다.

2

이번 결정은 민주주의의 가치를 후퇴시켰다는 평가를 받는다.

This decision is evaluated as having regressed the values of democracy.

-했다는 평가를 받다.

3

기업들은 불황이 닥치자 투자를 후퇴시키기 시작했다.

As the recession hit, companies began to scale back their investments.

-자 (as soon as/when).

4

적의 포위망을 뚫지 못하면 후퇴하는 것이 상책이다.

If you cannot break through the enemy's encirclement, retreating is the best policy.

상책이다 (is the best way).

5

그의 건강 상태가 급격히 후퇴하고 있어 걱정이다.

I am worried because his health is rapidly declining (retreating).

Abstract usage for health.

6

후퇴할 곳이 없는 상황에서 그는 최선을 다했다.

In a situation where there was no place to retreat, he did his best.

-ㄹ 곳이 없다.

7

기술적인 한계로 인해 프로젝트가 잠시 후퇴했다.

Due to technical limitations, the project retreated momentarily.

-로 인해 (due to).

8

우리는 후퇴를 부끄러워할 필요가 없습니다.

We don't need to be ashamed of retreating.

-ㄹ 필요가 없다.

1

역사는 때때로 진보가 아닌 후퇴를 거듭하기도 한다.

History sometimes repeats retreats rather than progress.

-기도 하다 (sometimes does).

2

전략적 후퇴는 때로는 전진보다 더 큰 용기를 필요로 한다.

Strategic retreat sometimes requires more courage than advancing.

Comparison of abstract qualities.

3

빙하가 지구 온난화로 인해 매년 수 미터씩 후퇴하고 있다.

Glaciers are retreating several meters every year due to global warming.

Scientific context.

4

사회적 합의가 도출되지 못하면서 논의가 다시 원점으로 후퇴했다.

As social consensus could not be reached, the discussion retreated back to the starting point.

Abstract logical retreat.

5

권위주의 정권의 등장으로 언론의 자유가 크게 후퇴했다.

With the emergence of an authoritarian regime, freedom of the press has retreated significantly.

Political regression.

6

그는 자신의 주장이 틀렸음을 인정하고 한 걸음 후퇴했다.

He admitted his argument was wrong and stepped back one pace.

Metaphorical step back.

7

후퇴의 기미가 보이자마자 적들은 추격을 시작했다.

As soon as a sign of retreat appeared, the enemies began the pursuit.

-자마자 (as soon as).

8

시장의 불확실성이 커지자 소비 심리가 급격히 후퇴했다.

As market uncertainty grew, consumer sentiment retreated sharply.

Economic psychology.

1

인류 문명이 도덕적 후퇴를 겪고 있다는 우려가 제기되고 있다.

Concerns are being raised that human civilization is undergoing a moral retreat.

High-level philosophical concern.

2

이 조약의 파기는 국제 협력의 역사에서 명백한 후퇴이다.

The termination of this treaty is a clear retreat in the history of international cooperation.

Diplomatic analysis.

3

학계에서는 이 이론이 과학적 방법론에서 후퇴했다고 비판한다.

Academia criticizes that this theory has retreated from scientific methodology.

Academic critique.

4

진보와 후퇴의 변증법적 과정을 통해 사회는 성숙해진다.

Society matures through the dialectical process of progress and retreat.

Philosophical terminology (dialectical).

5

그의 문학적 성취는 후기작으로 갈수록 오히려 후퇴하는 양상을 보였다.

His literary achievement showed a pattern of retreating as he moved toward his later works.

Literary criticism.

6

국가 권력의 비대화는 개인의 자유를 후퇴시키는 결과를 초래한다.

The enlargement of state power brings about the result of regressing individual freedom.

Causal link in political theory.

7

전선이 후퇴함에 따라 피난민들의 행렬은 더욱 길어졌다.

As the front line retreated, the procession of refugees grew even longer.

-함에 따라 (as/along with).

8

그 정책의 철회는 개혁 의지의 후퇴로 해석될 여지가 충분하다.

The withdrawal of that policy has plenty of room to be interpreted as a retreat of the will for reform.

Nuanced political interpretation.

تلازمات شائعة

전면 후퇴
경제 후퇴
전략적 후퇴
민주주의 후퇴
일보 후퇴
강제로 후퇴하다
급격히 후퇴하다
원점으로 후퇴하다
후퇴할 기미
후퇴를 명령하다

العبارات الشائعة

후퇴는 없다

— There is no retreat (showing determination).

우리에게 후퇴는 없다, 오직 전진뿐이다.

뒤로 후퇴하다

— To retreat backward (redundant but common).

무서워서 뒤로 후퇴했다.

한 걸음 후퇴하다

— To take one step back (often metaphorical).

타협을 위해 한 걸음 후퇴했다.

끝없이 후퇴하다

— To retreat without end.

가치가 끝없이 후퇴하고 있다.

후퇴를 선택하다

— To choose to retreat.

그는 싸움 대신 후퇴를 선택했다.

후퇴가 불가피하다

— Retreat is inevitable.

상황상 후퇴가 불가피했다.

후퇴의 길

— The path of retreat.

후퇴의 길은 험난했다.

후퇴 신호

— A signal to retreat.

후퇴 신호를 보고 모두 도망갔다.

후퇴를 거부하다

— To refuse to retreat.

병사들은 후퇴를 거부하고 끝까지 싸웠다.

후퇴 작전

— A retreat operation.

후퇴 작전이 성공적으로 끝났다.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"일보 후퇴, 이보 전진"

— One step back, two steps forward (retreating now to advance more later).

지금의 실패는 일보 후퇴, 이보 전진을 위한 것이다.

Neutral
"배수진을 치다"

— To fight with one's back to the river (having no place to retreat).

우리는 배수진을 치고 이 경기에 임해야 한다.

Formal
"뒷걸음질치다"

— To move backward or shy away from a task.

어려운 일이라고 뒷걸음질치지 마라.

Neutral
"퇴로가 막히다"

— The path of retreat is blocked.

퇴로가 막혀서 항복할 수밖에 없었다.

Formal
"꼬리를 내리다"

— To lower one's tail (to retreat in fear or submission).

그는 강한 상대 앞에서 꼬리를 내리고 후퇴했다.

Informal
"물러날 곳이 없다"

— To have nowhere to retreat to.

이제 더 이상 물러날 곳이 없다.

Neutral
"발을 빼다"

— To pull one's foot out (to withdraw from a situation/business).

그는 그 사업에서 발을 빼고 후퇴했다.

Informal
"도망가는 데는 선수다"

— To be an expert at running away/retreating.

그는 불리하면 후퇴하는 데는 선수다.

Slang/Informal
"전진 아니면 죽음"

— Advance or death (no retreat allowed).

전쟁터에서 그들에게는 전진 아니면 죽음뿐이었다.

Formal
"후퇴를 모르는 사람"

— A person who doesn't know (how to) retreat.

그는 목표를 향해 후퇴를 모르는 사람이다.

Neutral
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