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Expressing 'stepping back' with 后退 (hòutuì)
Direction & Movement
Structure
Subject + 后退 + (了) + Measure Phrase
Explanation
The verb 后退 (hòutuì) means 'to step back,' 'to retreat,' or 'to move backward.' It combines 后 (back) with 退 (to withdraw). It is used for physical movement backward as well as figurative retreat, and often appears with measure phrases like 一步 (one step).
Examples
他吓了一跳，赶紧后退了一步。
Tā xià le yī tiào, gǎnjǐn hòutuì le yī bù.
He got a fright and quickly stepped back.
请大家后退，不要靠近危险区域。
Qǐng dàjiā hòutuì, bùyào kàojìn wēixiǎn qūyù.
Please step back, everyone — don't get close to the dangerous area.
车子慢慢后退，停进了车位里。
Chēzi mànmàn hòutuì, tíng jìn le chēwèi lǐ.
The car slowly backed up and parked into the parking space.