Translation guide
The English verb "retire" covers several distinct situations: leaving a career permanently, withdrawing from a competition or activity, going to bed, or removing something from service. Japanese uses different words and phrases for each.
To express that someone stops working permanently, usually due to age.
The most common and neutral term for retiring from a job or career. Used for both voluntary and mandatory retirement.
父は60歳で退職した。
My father retired at 60.
Specifically refers to retirement at the mandatory retirement age set by a company.
彼は来年定年退職します。
He will retire at the mandatory age next year.
Literally "quit one's job". Can be used for retirement, but is broader and includes quitting for any reason. Use with context to clarify it's permanent retirement.
彼女は仕事を辞めて田舎に引っ越した。
She retired and moved to the countryside.
Implies retiring from active life to live quietly, often with a nuance of seclusion. More common for older generations or in literary contexts.
祖父は70歳で隠居した。
My grandfather retired from public life at 70.
To express that someone stops participating in a sport, game, or other activity, often due to injury or defeat.
Used for retiring from a sport, profession, or public role. Common for athletes, actors, politicians.
その選手は怪我で引退した。
The athlete retired due to injury.
Means to withdraw from a match or race, often due to injury or inability to continue. Not a permanent retirement.
彼はマラソンを途中で棄権した。
He retired from the marathon halfway through.
Literally "withdraw oneself". Used when stepping down from a position or role, often voluntarily.
To express that someone goes to bed for the night.
A formal or literary way to say "retire for the night" or "go to bed".
彼は早めに床に就いた。
He retired early for the night.
The common word for "go to bed" or "sleep". Not specifically "retire", but used in casual contexts.
もう遅いから寝よう。
It's late, so let's retire (go to bed).
To express that an object, equipment, or vehicle is taken out of use permanently.
Means to abolish or discontinue something, like a system, vehicle, or equipment.
その旧型機は今年廃止される。
The old model will be retired this year.
Used for retiring a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle from service. Personification nuance.
その船は50年の航海の後、引退させられた。
The ship was retired after 50 years of service.
Literally "become not used". A casual way to say something is retired from use.
このパソコンはもう使わなくなった。
This computer has been retired.
退職する is for retiring from a job or career, while 引退する is for retiring from a sport, public role, or active profession. Use 退職 for office workers, 引退 for athletes and artists.
Although リタイアする is a loanword from English, it is mainly used for retiring from a race or competition, not for leaving a job. For career retirement, use 退職する.
彼は30年の勤務の後、退職した。
He retired after 30 years of service.
彼女は昨年プロテニスを引退した。
She retired from professional tennis last year.
The chairman retired due to old age.