‘退票’ literally means ‘to withdraw a ticket’—‘退’ (tuì) means ‘to withdraw, cancel, or return’, and ‘票’ (piào) means ‘ticket’. Together, they form a verb meaning to request and receive a refund for a ticket you’ve already purchased. This action typically applies to transportation tickets (train, bus, plane, subway), event tickets (concerts, movies, sports), or admission tickets (museums, theme parks).

The process usually involves contacting the seller—either online, at a service counter, or via phone—before a specified deadline. Refund amounts may vary depending on how close it is to the departure or event time, and some tickets may be non-refundable. While ‘退票’ functions as a verb in most contexts, it can also act as a noun meaning ‘refund’ or ‘cancellation’, as in ‘办理退票’ (process a ticket refund). It’s a common term in daily life, especially when travel plans change unexpectedly.