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I play in chess tournaments in China, and in the past, I've been unable to ask my opponent for a draw because I didn't know how to say it in Chinese off the top of my head (and we can't use electronic devices during play, so I can't whip out Pleco). It's important that I ask for a draw accurately.

It seems the correct word is: 平局 (píngjú) = draw, tie. However, I'm wondering how to accurately phrase the question. I would guess 你想平局吗? but it's not quite right: it's not clear that I'm making a draw offer. Maybe I could say 我提供平局, but I'm not sure.

Question: What is the best way to ask for a draw in chess?

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  • Could you explain the exact situation? I believe English has its own local-related expression for this. And the Chinese version would be totally different from the literal translation. Nov 29, 2018 at 2:52
  • After making a move in chess, in English I would ask "would you like a draw?" or I might state "I offer a draw". If the opponent agrees before their next move, the game is then a draw.
    – Becky 李蓓
    Nov 29, 2018 at 2:54
  • Well, I don't know any one-short-sentence in Chinese to express this. Maybe "就算平局吧"。Let's count (this) as a draw. Nov 29, 2018 at 3:02
  • I would say 我提议和棋,你同意吗
    – xbh
    Nov 29, 2018 at 8:08

2 Answers 2

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Orally, depending on the situation, you could use the following phrases

咱们要不和了吧?

我不想下了,就算平局吧。

和 means 讲和,which just implies 平局。The second expression would be more casual and is suggested to be used with close friends.

Above is how you would ask for a draw if the situation is really tied and both of you are tired, if you are feeling that you are losing, of course you would say

咱不下了,我认输了!

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  • Not meaning to be a bother, but is 了 in 咱们要不和了吧 pronounced le or liǎo?
    – Becky 李蓓
    Nov 29, 2018 at 3:02
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    @Becky李蓓 le is the case. Nov 29, 2018 at 3:15
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    That is the gist, but I think in the scenario the expressions should be a little bit formal.
    – xbh
    Nov 29, 2018 at 8:10
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As I typed in the comment, I would say

我提议和棋,你同意吗?//// I offer a draw, would you like it?

To avoid confusion, 和棋 might be the professional terminology for "draw" in chess [as I self-studied]. 提议 means "suggest", or in your case, "offer".

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