Retreat
#14
التراجع (al-tarāju') is a noun meaning 'retreat' or 'withdrawal,' referring to the act of moving backward or pulling away from a position, either physically or figuratively. It can describe military retreat, backing down from a position, or declining in value or status. The word carries connotations of both physical movement and abstract situations involving loss of ground or position.
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أُجبرت القوات على التراجع من الموقع الاستراتيجي.
Ujbirt al-quwwāt 'alā al-tarāju' min al-mawqi' al-istirātījī.
The forces were forced to retreat from the strategic position.
بدأ سعر العملة في التراجع خلال الأسابيع الماضية.
Badā' si'r al-'umlah fī al-tarāju' khilāl al-asābī' al-māḍiyah.
The currency's value began to retreat during the past weeks.
لا يمكنه التراجع عن وعده الآن.
Lā yumkinuhu al-tarāju' 'an wa'dihi al-ān.
He cannot retreat from his promise now.
شهد الاقتصاد تراجعاً ملحوظاً في الربع الأخير.
Shahida al-iqtisād tarāju'an malhūzan fī al-rub' al-akhīr.
The economy experienced a notable retreat in the last quarter.
التراجع الاستراتيجي كان الخيار الأفضل للفريق.
Al-tarāju' al-istirātījī kān al-khiyār al-afdal lil-farīq.
The strategic retreat was the best option for the team.
In Arabic media and political discourse, التراجع is frequently used when discussing military operations, economic indicators, and diplomatic negotiations. The word carries weight in Arabic strategic vocabulary and is commonly heard in news broadcasts discussing geopolitical situations. Understanding this term is essential for following Arabic news and understanding discussions about political or economic developments in the Arab world.
Remember that التراجع can be used both literally (physical retreat) and figuratively (backing down, declining). When discussing economics, it often appears in financial news describing market downturns. In formal writing, it's frequently paired with adjectives like 'استراتيجي' (strategic) or 'ملحوظ' (noticeable) to specify the nature of the retreat. This word is often used in the media, making it valuable for news comprehension.
The Arabic word التراجع (al-tarāju') is a fundamental term meaning 'retreat,' 'withdrawal,' or 'decline.' This noun is extensively used in modern Arabic across military, economic, and diplomatic contexts, making it an essential vocabulary item for intermediate learners.
التراجع refers to the act of moving backward or withdrawing from a position, situation, or commitment. The word encompasses both literal physical retreat and metaphorical meanings such as declining in value, backing down from a position, or losing ground in negotiations or competition. The term carries implications of loss, diminishment, or strategic withdrawal rather than simply moving backward.
التراجع is a masculine noun in its singular form, derived from the verb تراجع (tarāja'a), which means 'to retreat' or 'to back away.' The word follows standard Arabic noun patterns and can be pluralized as تراجعات (tarāju'āt) or used in the construct state (إضافة) with other nouns. As a deverbal noun (masdar), it maintains the action-oriented meaning of its root verb.
Military and Strategic Context: The word is prominently used in military terminology and strategic discussions. Phrases like "التراجع الاستراتيجي" (strategic retreat) appear frequently in military analysis and geopolitical discourse. For example: "اضطرت القوات إلى التراجع من الخطوط الأمامية" (The forces were forced to retreat from the front lines).
Economic and Financial Context: In economic reporting, التراجع describes market downturns, currency depreciation, or economic slowdowns. You'll commonly hear: "شهد السوق تراجعاً ملحوظاً" (The market experienced a notable retreat) or "التراجع في أسعار النفط" (the retreat in oil prices).
Interpersonal and Diplomatic Contexts: The word is also used figuratively when someone backs down from a position, promise, or commitment. For instance: "التراجع عن الوعد" (backing down from a promise) or "لا يمكن التراجع الآن" (One cannot retreat now).
Understanding التراجع is enhanced by learning related terms:
When learning this word, note that التراجع often appears in headlines and news reports discussing political developments, military operations, and economic trends. It's frequently accompanied by descriptive adjectives such as:
These collocations help speakers and writers specify the nature and significance of the retreat being discussed.
In Arabic political and media discourse, التراجع carries weight beyond its literal meaning. Strategic retreat is often discussed as a calculated decision rather than an admission of defeat, reflecting sophisticated military and diplomatic vocabulary in Arabic communication. Understanding this term provides insight into how Arabic speakers conceptualize strategic decision-making and setbacks.
To master this word, practice distinguishing between its literal and figurative uses. Listen to Arabic news broadcasts where economic or military reports frequently employ this term. Create sentences using it with different adjectives to grasp its flexibility. Pay attention to how native speakers use الواو (and) to connect it with related concepts in continuous discourse.