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    Chinese Grammar

    Understanding the noun 棋子 (qízǐ) for 'chess piece'

    Description & Modification
    Numbers & Quantity

    Explanation

    棋子 (qízǐ) means "chess piece" or "game piece" and refers to the individual pieces used in board games such as Chinese chess (象棋) or Go (围棋). It combines 棋 (chess/board game) and 子 (piece/seed). It can also be used figuratively to mean "pawn" in a larger scheme.

    Examples

    • 他把棋子一个一个摆好,准备开始下棋。

      tā bǎ qízǐ yī gè yī gè bǎi hǎo, zhǔnbèi kāishǐ xià qí.

      He arranged the chess pieces one by one, getting ready to start playing.

    • 你少了一个棋子,没法下了。

      nǐ shǎo le yī gè qízǐ, méi fǎ xià le.

      You're missing a chess piece, so you can't play.

    • 这副象棋的棋子是用木头做的。

      zhè fù xiàngqí de qízǐ shì yòng mùtou zuò de.

      The pieces of this chess set are made of wood.

    Understanding the noun 棋子 (qízǐ) for 'chess piece' | Chinese Grammar