Translation guide
How to express retracting a statement, claim, or accusation in Japanese, including formal apologies, corrections, and informal take-backs.
The speaker formally withdraws a previous statement, often in a public or official context, such as a news correction or a legal setting.
He retracted his statement from yesterday.
Literally 'to apologize and cancel the statement'. Emphasizes the act of apologizing while retracting.
The newspaper apologized and retracted the erroneous article.
Means 'correction'. Often used when a factual error is acknowledged and corrected, which can imply retraction of the incorrect information.
We correct the erroneous report.
In everyday conversation, the speaker wants to take back something they just said, often because it was a joke, a slip, or too harsh.
Very common casual phrase meaning 'forget what I just said' or 'scratch that'. Used among friends.
Oh, forget I said that! Just kidding.
Literally 'I said too much, I take it back'. Used when you realize you've gone too far.
Describing the mechanical or biological action of pulling something back in.
Transitive verb meaning 'to pull in' or 'to retract'. Used for claws, antennas, etc.
The cat retracted its claws.
Technical term for 'to stow' or 'to retract', used for aircraft landing gear, etc.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to retract' or 'to go back in'. Used when something retracts by itself.
Withdrawing an offer, invitation, or promise previously made.
Both mean retraction/cancellation. 撤回 (tekkai) is more formal and often used for statements, opinions, or proposals. 取り消し (torikeshi) is broader and can be used for orders, reservations, or casual remarks. In legal contexts, 撤回 is used for withdrawing an offer before acceptance, while 取り消し can mean rescission.
I demand a retraction of the statement.
I'd like to cancel my order.
The English phrase 'take back' can be literally translated as 取り戻す (torimodosu), but that means 'to reclaim' or 'to get back' a physical object, not to retract a statement. Use 撤回する or 取り消す for retracting words.
He took back his statement.
Sorry, I went too far. I take it back.
Literally 'retraction of previous statement'. Can be used half-jokingly in casual contexts, but sounds a bit stiff.
I take it back! I'll go after all.
The pilot retracted the landing gear.
The turtle's head retracted.
He casually retracted his promise.