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.
Standard formal phrase meaning 'to retract a statement'. Used in official apologies or corrections.
彼は昨日の発言を撤回した。
He retracted his statement from yesterday.
Literally 'to apologize and cancel the statement'. Emphasizes the act of apologizing while retracting.
新聞社は誤った記事を謝罪して取り消した。
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.
誤報を訂正します。
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.
あ、今のなし！冗談だよ。
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.
ごめん、言い過ぎた。取り消すよ。
Sorry, I went too far. I take it back.
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.
猫が爪を引っ込めた。
The cat retracted its claws.
Technical term for 'to stow' or 'to retract', used for aircraft landing gear, etc.
パイロットは着陸装置を格納した。
The pilot retracted the landing gear.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to retract' or 'to go back in'. Used when something retracts by itself.
Withdrawing an offer, invitation, or promise previously made.
Means 'to cancel/withdraw an offer'. Neutral and clear.
急に申し出を取り消されて困った。
I was troubled when the offer was suddenly retracted.
Literally 'to make a promise void'. Stronger nuance of breaking a promise, often with negative connotation.
彼は簡単に約束を反故にした。
He casually retracted his promise.
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.
発言の撤回を求めます。
I demand a retraction of the statement.
注文を取り消したいのですが。
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.
彼は発言を撤回した。
He took back his statement.
Literally 'retraction of previous statement'. Can be used half-jokingly in casual contexts, but sounds a bit stiff.
前言撤回！やっぱり行く。
I take it back! I'll go after all.
The turtle's head retracted.