Mahjong Glossary
A comprehensive dictionary of mahjong terms. Whether you're learning American mahjong or exploring other variants, this glossary will help you understand the language of the game.
C
- Chow
- A set of three consecutive tiles in the same suit (e.g., 1-2-3 of bamboo)
- Concealed Hand
- A hand with no exposed melds (except for kongs in some variants)
D
- Dead Wall
- Tiles reserved for replacement draws after kongs
- Discards
- Tiles placed face-up in the center after being played
- Dragon Tiles
- Red, Green, and White dragon tiles
E
- Exposure
- Tiles placed face-up on the table as completed sets
F
- Flower Tiles
- Bonus tiles representing seasons or flowers
H
- Honor Tiles
- Wind tiles (East, South, West, North) and Dragon tiles
J
- Joker
- Wild tile used in American mahjong that can substitute for any tile
K
- Kong
- A set of four identical tiles, counted as a meld
M
- Mahjong
- A winning hand; also the name of the game itself
N
- NMJL
- National Mah Jongg League - organization that publishes the American mahjong card
P
- Pung
- A set of three identical tiles
S
- Suit
- One of three numbered tile categories: Characters, Bamboos, Dots
W
- Wall
- The arrangement of face-down tiles from which players draw
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More Terms Coming Soon
We're expanding the glossary with terms from all mahjong variants. Missing a term? Let us know!