Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
棋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
棋qíchess; any strategy gameHSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 木, rank #9602, Hard
棋qíchess-like gameHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 木, rank #9602, Hard
棋qía game of chessHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 木, rank #9602, Hard
棋qíchess pieceHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 木, rank #9602, Hard
qí(qi2) T2
  1. 1chess; any strategy game
  2. 2chess-like game
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
棋(棊)qí(qi2)

The character 棋 (qí) primarily refers to chess or strategy games in general. It denotes not only the game of chess itself but also other games that involve strategic thinking and planning. In modern usage, it may also connote strategic decision-making in various contexts.

Strokes12Radical木Frequency#9602DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

Chess (象棋) is a popular pastime in China, often played in parks and community spaces. The game reflects strategic thinking and is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, symbolizing wisdom and tactical skills.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant chessboard where each piece is a character (棋) playing a grand match. The left side of the character (木) looks like a chess piece standing tall, representing the strategy involved in the game, while the right side (奇) hints at the uniqueness of each strategic move.

Meanings of 棋

qí(qi2)
1chess; any strategy game
2chess-like game
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 棋

棋Simplified
棊Traditional
12Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#9602Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 棋

JasonAmy

Podcast: 棋

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 棋

Quick Contrast

象棋 (xiàngqí) refers specifically to Chinese chess, while 棋 (qí) can refer to chess or strategy games in general.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a giant chessboard where each piece is a character (棋) playing a grand match. The left side of the character (木) looks like a chess piece standing tall, representing the strategy involved in the game, while the right side (奇) hints at the uniqueness of each strategic move.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 棋 with similar-sounding words or characters, so it's important to distinguish its specific meaning related to games. It's generally used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing games in social settings. Common collocations include '下棋' (to play chess) and '棋类游戏' (board games).

HSK Study Tips

Although 棋 is not included in HSK levels, it connects with other HSK vocabulary related to games and strategy. Students should focus on its usage in context, particularly with phrases that involve playing games, as it can enrich conversations about leisure activities.

Cultural Note

Chess (象棋) is a popular pastime in China, often played in parks and community spaces. The game reflects strategic thinking and is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, symbolizing wisdom and tactical skills.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 棋 in contexts where more specific terms are needed, such as using it interchangeably with '游戏' (game). Always clarify if referring specifically to chess or strategic games.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 棋

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 棋 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 棋

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 其 represents the sound. Simplified form of 碁.

Memory Hint

wood

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)其
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 棋?

Decomposition of 棋

IDS Structure⿰木其
棋Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
其qi2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 棋?

Write 棋

棋

Practice writing 棋 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 棋

棋 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

你从很小的时候就对下____产生了浓厚兴趣。

You've had chess on the brain since you were little.

Example Sentences for 棋 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你从很小的时候就对下棋产生了浓厚兴趣。

nǐ cóng hěn xiǎo de shí hòu jiù duì xià qí chǎn shēng le nóng hòu xīng qù。

You've had chess on the brain since you were little.
2
有个犯人刻了一副漂亮的木头象棋。

yǒu gè fàn rén kè le yī fù piāo liàng de mù tóu xiàng qí。

One of the prisoners has carved a beautiful wooden chess set.
3
国际象棋大师们以性格怪异和好与人争辩而闻名。

guó jì xiàng qí dà shī mén yǐ xìng gé guài yì hé hǎo yǔ rén zhēng biàn ér wén míng。

Great chess players have a reputation for being both eccentric and argumentative.
4
“你会下棋吗？”他斜睨着米格尔问道。

“ “ nǐ huì xià qí？” ma ？” tā xié nì zháo mǐ gé ěr。

"Do you play chess?" he asked, looking askance at Miguel.
5
他正和艾伯特在书房的炉火旁下国际跳棋。

tā zhèng hé ài bó tè zài shū fáng de lú huǒ páng xià guó jì tiào qí。

He was in the study playing draughts by the fire with Albert.
6
他一直举棋不定，找出种种理由不予成交。

tā yī zhí jǔ qí bù dìng， ， zhǎo chū zhǒng zhǒng lǐ yóu bù yú chéng。

He kept waffling and finding excuses not to close the deal.
7
他下棋赢了我。

tā xià qí yíng le wǒ。

He beat me at chess.
8
我象棋下不赢他.

wǒ xiàng qí xià bù yíng tā.

I can't beat him at Chinese chess.
9
不知道下一步该怎么走，我一只手在棋盘上举落不定。

bù zhī dào xià yī bù gāi zěn mó zǒu， ， wǒ yī zhī shǒu zài qí pán shàng jǔ luò bù。

With no idea of what to do for my next move, my hand hovered over the board.
10
加雷·卡斯帕罗夫卫冕了他国际象棋世界冠军的称号。

jiā léi· · kǎ sī pà luó fū wèi miǎn le tā guó jì xiàng qí shì jiè guān jūn de chēng。

Gary Kasparov has retained his title as world chess champion.

Cultural Notes for 棋

🏮Cultural insight

Chess (象棋) is a popular pastime in China, often played in parks and community spaces. The game reflects strategic thinking and is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, symbolizing wisdom and tactical skills.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While chess is universally recognized, the strategic games popular in China, such as Xiangqi (Chinese chess), have different rules and pieces, emphasizing a distinct cultural approach to strategy.

Word Family of 棋

Compounds1
簯
Words Containing This Character20
棋qíchess
围棋the game of Go圍棋
下棋xiàqíto play chess
棋子qízǐchess piece
象棋xiàngqíChinese chess
棋手chess player
国际象棋chess國際象棋
棋盘chessboard棋盤
跳棋Chinese checkers
棋局(old) chessboard
举棋不定to shilly-shally舉棋不定
棋艺chess skill棋藝
死棋stupid move
星罗棋布scattered about like stars in the sky or chess pieces on a board (idiom); spread all over the place星羅棋布
棋王chess champion
棋赛chess game棋賽
棋谱kifu (record of a game of go or shogi)棋譜
和棋draw or tie in chess etc
琴棋书画the four arts (zither, Go, calligraphy, painting)琴棋書畫
悔棋to withdraw a move (chess)
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 棋 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 棋

Besides chess, 棋 can refer to various strategic board games like Go (围棋) and other chess-like games.