retreat / withdrawal
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retreat
The planned movement of soldiers or troops away from the enemy or out of a combat area.
Nach tagelangen Kämpfen ordnete der Kommandant den strategischen Rückzug an.
After days of fighting, the commander ordered the strategic retreat.
The word 'Rückzug' (retreat/withdrawal) consists of the prefix 'rück-' (back) and the noun 'Zug' (movement, from 'ziehen' — to pull). It literally describes a movement back or away from something.
Der Rückzug der Mannschaft aus dem Finale war eine große Enttäuschung.
The team's withdrawal from the final was a major disappointment.
A very common verb used with 'Rückzug' (retreat/withdrawal) is 'antreten'. The phrase 'den Rückzug antreten' means to begin the retreat or withdrawal, and is used both in a military and a figurative sense.
Nach der Niederlage trat der Parteivorsitzende den Rückzug an.
After the defeat, the party chairman began his withdrawal.
The prepositions 'aus' (from/out of) and 'in' (into) help you understand the meaning. 'Rückzug aus' describes leaving an activity or place, while 'Rückzug in' describes going to a place of calm.
Sein Rückzug aus der Öffentlichkeit wurde von allen respektiert.
His withdrawal from public life was respected by everyone.
Outside the military, 'Rückzug' (withdrawal) often describes the end of one's involvement. Typical formulations are 'Rückzug aus der Politik' (withdrawal from politics), 'aus einem Wettbewerb' (from a competition), or 'ins Privatleben' (into private life).
Nach einer langen Karriere kündigte sie ihren Rückzug ins Privatleben an.
After a long career, she announced her withdrawal into private life.
task / function / surrender
'die Aufgabe' and 'der Rückzug' can both mean that someone stops doing something or removes themselves from something. In this meaning, 'die Aufgabe' refers to giving up an activity, a competition, or a position, often because continuing is no longer possible. 'der Rückzug' puts more emphasis on withdrawing from an activity, an office, a competition, or social life. Learners may confuse the words because both can mean an end to participation. 'Aufgabe' fits more with stopping or giving up, while 'Rückzug' fits more with a conscious step back or leaving a role.
In einer E-Mail erklärt der Gast seinen Rückzug aus dem Projekt.
In an email, the guest explains his withdrawal from the project.
Wegen der Verletzung war die Aufgabe des Rennens für ihn die einzige Möglichkeit.
Because of the injury, withdrawing from the race was his only option.