zurücktreten

Zurücktreten is a German verb meaning to step back from a position or to resign from an office, organization, or activity. It is used to describe voluntary withdrawal from responsibilities, often in politics or business. The literal sense is to physically move backward, but the term is primarily understood as relinquishing a post or duty.

Grammatically, zurücktreten is a separable prefix verb. In the present tense its forms include ich trete zurück, du trittst zurück, er tritt zurück. In the perfect (Perfekt) it takes the auxiliary sein: er ist zurückgetreten. The expression is typically followed by a reference to the position, for example: von seinem Amt zurücktreten or aus dem Amt zurücktreten.

Usage and nuance often distinguish zurücktreten from related terms. Zurücktreten implies voluntary withdrawal from a post or duty, whereas abdanken is a more formal term for resigning from an official post and can carry a stronger constitutional or institutional tone. Sich zurückziehen has a broader sense of withdrawing from public life or from participation in activities, and may not specify a formal resignation from a specific position.

Rücktritt is the corresponding noun, referring to the act of resigning or the moment of stepping down, as in politische Rücktritt oder Rücktrittsversprechen. Examples: Der Minister trat heute zurück. Sie haben angekündigt, aus dem Amt zurückzutreten. In corporate contexts, der Vorstand trat nach dem Skandal zurück.