棋子 (qízǐ): chess piece; game piece

Measure Word

一枚棋子 méi

Chess (棋) + piece (子) - a piece in a board game, or figuratively, a pawn being manipulated.

HSK 5

这盒棋子少了一个。

Zhè hé qízǐ shǎo le yīgè.

This box of chess pieces is missing one.

HSK 7-9

他不过是别人手中的一枚棋子。

Tā búguò shì biérén shǒuzhōng de yì méi qízǐ.

He's nothing more than a pawn in someone else's hands.

usage

The figurative use of 棋子 (pawn, someone being manipulated) is very common in political commentary and drama. 沦为棋子 means 'to be reduced to a pawn.'

棋 qí

子 zǐ