下棋
xiàqí
To play chess in Chinese is 下棋 (xiàqí).
下棋 is a general term for engaging in various types of board games.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb 下 (xià), meaning 'to play/to move/to descend' and the noun 棋 (qí), meaning 'chess' or 'board game'.
Which one should you use?
下棋 is the standard general term. If you want to be formal and specifically refer to international (Western) chess, you should use 下国际象棋.
How does it change in a sentence?
下棋 is a verb-object construction, where 下 is the verb and 棋 is the object. Because of this structure, you cannot insert an adjective between the two components, such as trying to say 'play good chess' by placing an adjective in the middle.
How do you pronounce it?
xiàqí
Did you know?
- In some contexts, 下棋 can be used metaphorically to describe strategic maneuvering or 'playing' a person in a social or political power struggle.
- In Chinese culture, 下棋 is often associated with 'slow living' and intellectual cultivation, and is traditionally played in parks or tea houses to foster social bonds.
- While 下棋 refers to the act of playing, the verb 下 literally means 'to go down' or 'to descend', reflecting the physical action of placing a piece down onto the board.
Examples in context
- 我们经常下棋。We often play chess.This sentence uses 下棋 to show a habitual action.Tatoeba #425151 by GlossaMatik, translation #425148 by CM
- 我會教你下棋。I will teach you to play chess.This sentence uses 下棋 to express the act of teaching the game.Tatoeba #884173 by Martha, translation #40256 by CK
- 我们一起打象棋吧，我想看看你的棋艺。Let's play chess together, I want to see your chess skills.
- 你想跟我下棋吗？Nǐ xiǎng gēn wǒ xiàqí ma?Do you want to play chess with me?
Example conversation
Two friends meeting at a park.
- 佳怡 Jiayi志强，你想跟我下棋吗？Zhìqiáng, nǐ xiǎng gēn wǒ xiàqí ma?Zhiqiang, do you want to play chess with me?
- 志强 Zhiqiang好啊，我们去那边坐吧。Hǎo a, wǒmen qù nàbiān zuò ba.Sure, let's go sit over there.
- 佳怡 Jiayi今天天气真不错。Jīntiān tiānqì zhēn bùcuò.The weather is really nice today.
- 志强 Zhiqiang是啊，很适合下棋。Shì a, hěn shìhé xiàqí.Yes, it's very suitable for playing chess.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
