退どける

ど

け

る

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

ichidan verb, transitive verb

move aside; put out of the way

Physical action of moving something or someone to clear a space or path. Often used when the object is in the way.

Written forms

退どける
Standard kanji spelling for this meaning. Note that this kanji form can also be read のける with a different meaning.
どけるUsage100%
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially to avoid confusion with 退ける (のける).

Kanji

退retreat, withdraw, retire

Similar words

退のける
Same kanji but different reading and meaning: のける means 'to remove', 'to exclude', or 'to do something with ease' (as an auxiliary verb). どける is specifically about physically moving something aside.
除のける
Often written 除ける for the meaning 'to remove' or 'to exclude', while 退ける (どける) is only for moving aside.

Etymology

The reading どける is thought to be a sound shift from のける (退ける・除ける). The kanji 退 carries the meaning of 'retreat' or 'withdraw', fitting the sense of moving something back or aside.