棋 (qí) - Chess & any board game, especially games like Go (围棋)

棋Tone 2

qí ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

七器

棋 · qí

Chess;

any board game, especially games like Go (围棋) or Chinese chess (象棋).

Chessany board game, especially games like Go (围棋)

Usage highlights

GoChinese chesschess playerchessboardchess piecechess match

Synonyms

  • 弈— to play chess; specifically refers to Go

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • We play Go every weekend (下围棋).
  • Chinese chess is a traditional game (象棋).
  • He is a chess master (棋手).
  • This is a chessboard (棋盘).

Collocations

  • Go(围棋)
  • Chinese chess(象棋)
  • chess player(棋手)
  • chessboard(棋盘)
  • chess piece(棋子)
  • chess match(棋局)

Idioms

  • A careless move loses the whole game(一着不慎，满盘皆输)
  • To be at a stalemate(棋逢对手)
  • A game within a game(棋局中的棋局)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Deeply rooted in Chinese culture as one of the Four Arts (四艺) of the Chinese scholar.
  • Symbolizes strategy, intellect, and foresight in both military and philosophical contexts.
  • Represents a microcosm of cosmic order and balance in traditional thought.

FAQ