Definition

1. Verb:
   • To regress / to retrogress: To return to a less advanced, worse, or simpler state or condition; to move backward in development, progress, or quality.
   • To degenerate / to deteriorate: To decline or become worse in physical, mental, or moral qualities.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Kỹ năng của anh ta đã thoái bộ sau nhiều năm không luyện tập. (His skills have regressed after many years without practice.)
  • Tình hình kinh tế đang có nguy cơ thoái bộ. (The economic situation is at risk of deteriorating.)
  • Đừng để bản thân thoái bộ về mặt đạo đức. (Do not let yourself degenerate morally.)

Advanced Usage

• Used in formal or academic contexts to describe negative trends in society, technology, skills, or health.
  • Nền văn minh có thể thoái bộ nếu không được bảo vệ. (A civilization can regress if not protected.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thoái lui (v): To retreat, to withdraw (often physically or militarily).
  • Quân đội buộc phải thoái lui. (The army was forced to retreat.)
• Thoái hóa (v): To degenerate (often used in biological, medical, or moral contexts).
  • Thoái hóa đốt sống cổ. (Cervical spondylosis / degeneration of the cervical spine.)

Synonyms

• Regress: To return to a former, less developed state.
• Retrogress: To go back to an earlier, typically worse, condition.
• Deteriorate: To become progressively worse.
• Degenerate: To decline in quality or character.

Related Idioms

• Thoái bộ về mặt tinh thần: To regress spiritually or in terms of mindset.
  • Lối sống ích kỷ khiến con người thoái bộ về mặt tinh thần. (A selfish lifestyle causes people to regress spiritually.)