Definition

Verb phrase: - To withdraw troops, to retreat (military): A military command or action meaning to pull back soldiers from a position or battle, often to regroup, avoid greater losses, or adopt a new strategy. This term has an archaic or classical literary tone.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Sau trận đánh ác liệt, tướng quân ra lệnh lui binh. (After the fierce battle, the general ordered a troop withdrawal.)
  • Chiến lược lui binh nhằm bảo toàn lực lượng là rất khôn ngoan. (The strategy of retreating to preserve forces was very wise.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is primarily found in historical texts, classical literature, or when discussing historical military tactics. In modern Vietnamese, rút quân is more commonly used in everyday and contemporary military contexts with the same core meaning.

Variants and Related Words

• Lui (verb): To move back, to retreat.
  • Xe phải lui lại để nhường đường. (The car had to back up to give way.)
• Binh (noun - classical/formal): Soldiers, troops.
  • Tướng cầm binh ra trận. (The general led the troops into battle.)
• Rút quân (verb phrase - modern synonym): To withdraw troops.
  • Đối phương đã bắt đầu rút quân. (The opposing side has begun to withdraw its troops.)

Synonyms

• Rút lui (verb): To retreat, to withdraw (can be used for both military and non-military contexts).
• Triệt thoái (verb - formal/military): To retreat, to pull out (emphasizing a complete withdrawal).

Related Phrases

• Lui binh giữ thế (idiom): To retreat in order to maintain a strategic position; a tactical withdrawal.
  • Đó không phải là thất bại mà là chiến thuật lui binh giữ thế. (That was not a defeat but a tactic of retreating to hold one's position.)

1. Withdraw the troops, retreat