retirer

to withdraw, to take out

verb ruh-tee-REH Less Common

Also means

to remove, to retire

Usage Note

Retirer covers withdrawing money (retirer de l'argent), removing an object (retirer un clou), and withdrawing from a competition or position. The reflexive se retirer means 'to withdraw oneself' or 'to retire', and is the standard verb for retiring from public life in French (alongside prendre sa retraite for retiring from a job). It is more formal in tone than enlever for physical removal.

Examples

"Je dois retirer de l'argent au distributeur."

Natural Translation

I need to withdraw money from the ATM.

Literal Translation

I-must withdraw of-the-money at-the distributor

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