The Meaning of shirizoku [退く] In Japanese

退く
しりぞく
Romaji: shirizoku N4

What does 退く mean?

Translation and Meaning

to withdraw, retreat, step back, bow out

Definition

退く means to move back or away from something, or to withdraw from a duty, position, or situation; it conveys intentional withdrawal rather than being forced.

Type

verb (五段活用, 自動詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • withdraw from a position or duty
  • step back in a confrontation, competition, or situation
  • retreat from public attention or a scene
  • to bow out or resign from a role

Etymology

退 denotes retreat; く is the verb-ending; the kun-reading shirizoku has been the native pronunciation and remains in modern usage, reflecting phonetic stability of this kun-form.

Origin

Classical Japanese; attested in Heian and subsequent periods, used in courtly, military, and literary contexts to describe stepping back from influence or duty.

Composition

  • 退: retreat/withdraw
  • く: verb-ending that marks the native conjugation

Usage

政界の人物が職を退く。軍は戦線から退く。会議を途中で退く。
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a person stepping back through a doorway labeled 退, signaling a polite bowing out of the scene; the sound shirizoku reminds you to retreat rather than rush forward.

Variations

  • 下がる (sagaru) – step back
  • 辞退する (jitai suru) – decline/withdraw from an opportunity
  • 退場する (taijōsuru) – leave the stage
  • 撤退する (tettai suru) – retreat
退く