Meaning and Usage
The verb 退く (どく) primarily means 'to move aside' or 'to step back' physically, often to make way for someone or something. It can also mean 'to withdraw' or 'to retreat' in a more abstract sense, such as withdrawing from a position or argument.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 退く used when asking someone to move out of the way, especially in crowded places or when vehicles are passing. It is also used in situations involving retreat or stepping back from a conflict or dangerous situation.
Collocations and Patterns
- 退く + ください: a polite request to move aside (e.g., 道を退いてください)
- 場所から退く: to withdraw from a place
- 意見を退く: to withdraw an opinion
Register and Nuance
退く is a neutral verb suitable for both casual and formal contexts. It is more direct than some polite alternatives like どいていただけますか but still commonly used in everyday conversation.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 退く (どく) with 退ける (どける), which means 'to remove' or 'to push aside' and is a transitive verb. Remember, 退く is intransitive (the subject moves), while 退ける is transitive (the subject moves something else).