退步
To regress
Littéralement: 退 (Back/Retreat) + 步 (Step)
Use it to describe a decline in skill or quality, especially when being humble or giving feedback.
En 15 secondes
- Used when skills or performance get worse over time.
- The direct opposite of the word for progress, 'jinbu'.
- Commonly used for grades, hobbies, and language learning.
Signification
This phrase describes the frustrating feeling of getting worse at something you used to be good at. It is the opposite of progress; it is when your skills or performance take a step backward.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Complaining about language skills
太久没说中文，我退步了。
I haven't spoken Chinese for too long; I've regressed.
Discussing exam results
这次考试他退步了很多。
He regressed a lot in this exam.
A coach talking to an athlete
如果你不练习，你的技术会退步的。
If you don't practice, your technique will regress.
Contexte culturel
In a society that prizes the 'scholar' spirit, regression is often linked to laziness or a lack of focus. The phrase is deeply tied to the concept of 'Learning is like rowing upstream; not to advance is to drop back.' It became a standard way to measure self-improvement in the modern education system.
The Humility Hack
In China, even if you are doing well, saying 'I have regressed' is a way to stay humble and avoid sounding arrogant.
Not for Walking
Never use '退步' to tell someone to physically step back. Use '往后退' (wǎng hòu tuì) instead.
En 15 secondes
- Used when skills or performance get worse over time.
- The direct opposite of the word for progress, 'jinbu'.
- Commonly used for grades, hobbies, and language learning.
What It Means
退步 literally means taking a step backward. In daily life, you use it when your skills or grades drop. It is that annoying moment when you realize you forgot characters you knew last week. It is the opposite of 进步 (progress).
How To Use It
Use it as a verb or a noun. You can say your Chinese has 退步 or your math scores are a 退步. It often follows words like 很大 (big) or 明显 (obvious). Don't use it for moving physically backward. Use it for skills, habits, or quality.
When To Use It
Use it when talking about school grades. Use it when your gym performance dips. It is perfect for complaining about your own language skills. Managers use it to give feedback on work quality. It feels natural in both casual and serious talks.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for physical movement. If you step back to avoid a puddle, use 后退. Do not use it for relationships. If a romance cools off, we use different words. It is mostly for performance and measurable skills.
Cultural Background
Chinese culture values constant growth and 'biting the bitter' to improve. Because of this, 退步 is often seen as a lack of effort. Parents might use it to motivate children. It carries a sense of 'you can do better than this.'
Common Variations
退步了 is the most common way to say 'I have regressed.' You can also say 大不如前 for a more dramatic 'not as good as before.' If you want to be humble, use it about yourself often. It shows you have high standards for your own growth.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is highly versatile across all levels of formality. Just remember it focuses on the *quality* or *skill level* rather than physical movement or simple numerical decreases.
The Humility Hack
In China, even if you are doing well, saying 'I have regressed' is a way to stay humble and avoid sounding arrogant.
Not for Walking
Never use '退步' to tell someone to physically step back. Use '往后退' (wǎng hòu tuì) instead.
The Opposite Pair
Chinese learners usually learn '进步' (progress) and '退步' together. They are the 'yin and yang' of personal development.
Exemples
6太久没说中文，我退步了。
I haven't spoken Chinese for too long; I've regressed.
A very common way to express frustration with language loss.
这次考试他退步了很多。
He regressed a lot in this exam.
Used to compare current results to better past results.
如果你不练习，你的技术会退步的。
If you don't practice, your technique will regress.
Used as a warning about the consequences of laziness.
我的游戏水平退步得厉害！
My gaming skills have regressed terribly!
Uses 'de lihai' to emphasize the degree of regression.
我觉得我最近在生活习惯上退步了。
I feel like I've regressed in my lifestyle habits lately.
Used for self-reflection on discipline.
这家店的味道退步了。
The flavor of this restaurant has gone downhill.
Can be used for the quality of services or products.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to describe a drop in grades.
他不努力学习，所以成绩___了。
Because he didn't study hard, his grades 'regressed' (退步).
Select the best modifier for 'regressed'.
我的口语退步得很___。
'Lihai' is a common way to describe a significant or 'terrible' degree of regression.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of '退步'
Complaining to friends about your bad cooking.
我厨艺退步了。
Discussing school or work performance.
他的表现退步了。
Official reports on economic or social decline.
社会文明的退步。
When to use '退步'
School Grades
成绩退步
Language Skills
中文退步
Sports/Gym
体能退步
Food Quality
味道退步
Work Skills
技术退步
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it refers to their performance or behavior, not the person themselves. You can say 他退步了 meaning his performance has dropped.
It has a negative meaning because it implies getting worse, but it's not a swear word or an insult. It's an objective observation.
You can simply say 我退步了 (Wǒ tuìbù le). The 了 indicates a change in state.
Usually, we use 恶化 (èhuà) for health getting worse. 退步 is for skills or standards.
下降 (xiàjiàng) is for numbers or levels, like temperatures. 退步 is specifically for human ability or quality.
Yes, if a company's service or product quality drops, you can say 这家公司退步了.
Yes, it is neutral. A boss can tell an employee 你最近退步了 in a performance review.
No, for relationships we usually say 感情变淡了 (feelings have faded) or 关系变差了 (relationship got worse).
不进则退 (bù jìn zé tuì) is a famous idiom meaning 'if you don't move forward, you are regressing.'
Yes, it can mean 'regression' as a noun, such as 这是一个巨大的退步 (This is a huge regression).
Expressions liées
进步 (Progress)
落后 (To fall behind)
下降 (To decline/drop)
恶化 (To worsen/deteriorate)
大不如前 (Not as good as before)
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