The word 退后 is formed by combining two individual characters, each contributing a core action to create a unified concept. The first character, 退, visually and conceptually represents the act of stepping or moving backward, often away from something. It is then directly followed by 后, which fundamentally means "behind" or "rear". When placed together, they sequentially depict and reinforce a single, directional motion: the action of moving (退) specifically to a position that is behind (后). This formation creates a clear, compound instruction for a backward shift in physical or metaphorical space.