棋子 qízǐ chess piece
chess piece; (figuratively) a pawn (used by others for their own purposes)
How to remember 棋子: 棋 chess + 子 child = chess piece.
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How it is used
- A chess/board-game piece - 移动棋子 (yídòng qízǐ) move a piece.
- Very common figuratively: a pawn manipulated by others - 他只是别人的棋子 (tā zhǐshì biéren de qízǐ) he's just someone's pawn.
- Measure words 个 or 颗 (kē). The manipulated-pawn sense is a frequent metaphor.