go back, extend back (in time), stretch back / advance against the flow of water; go upstream

遡る: go back, extend back (in time), stretch back

root, cause, source, origin

go upstream / retrograde / trace back

thought / consideration

the root and the trunk / foundation, basis, root

to decrease profits

decrease in profits

active duty / currently working, currently holding a position / entering university straight out of high school

事: thing / 坤: / 金: one of the five classical elements in traditional Chinese philosophy and medicine: see the "Wu Xing" entry on Wikipedia / 根: perseverance, patience; (arithmetic) root