What does 'pung' mean in mahjong?

A pung (or pong) is a set of three identical tiles in mahjong. You can call 'pung' to claim a discarded tile from any player to complete your set. Pungs are worth points and are one of the basic melds in all mahjong variants.

What is a kong in mahjong?

A kong is a set of four identical tiles. There are three types: exposed kong (calling a discarded tile to add to your pung), concealed kong (all four tiles drawn yourself), and added kong (adding a drawn tile to an exposed pung). Kongs give bonus points and an extra tile draw.

What does 'mahjong' mean when called during play?

Calling 'mahjong' (or 'mahjongg') means you have completed a winning hand. In American mahjong, this means matching one of the hands on the current NMJL card. The call ends the round and you score your hand.

What is the Charleston in mahjong?

The Charleston is a tile-passing ritual unique to American mahjong. Before play begins, players pass tiles to opponents in a specific sequence: first right, then across, then left. This helps players improve their starting hands and is named after the 1920s dance.

What are jokers in mahjong?

Jokers are wild tiles used in American mahjong. A standard American set includes 8 jokers that can substitute for any tile in a pung, kong, quint, or sextet—but not in pairs or singles. Jokers are not used in Asian mahjong variants.

What is a chow in mahjong?

A chow (or chi) is a sequence of three consecutive tiles in the same suit, like 2-3-4 of Bamboo. In most variants, you can only call a chow from the player on your left. Chows are common in Hong Kong and Riichi mahjong but are not used in American mahjong.

What does 'dead hand' mean in mahjong?

A dead hand is a hand that cannot win due to a rule violation, such as having the wrong number of tiles, exposing tiles incorrectly, or calling mahjong when your hand doesn't match a valid pattern. A player with a dead hand ceases playing for the rest of that round.

How do you pronounce mahjong?

The standard English pronunciation is "mah-JONG" (rhymes with "song"). The NMJL spelling "mah jongg" is pronounced identically. In Mandarin, it is closer to "mah-JYAHNG." All spellings refer to the same game.

What do the mahjong tiles mean?

Dots represent coins, Bamboo represents strings of coins, Characters show Chinese numerals with "10,000." Winds represent compass directions. Dragons are Red (center), Green (fortune), and White (purity/void).

What is the difference between mahjong and mah jongg?

Same game, different spellings. "Mahjong" is the international standard. "Mah jongg" is the NMJL/American spelling. "Mahjongg" is another common variant.

Mahjong Glossary

A comprehensive dictionary of 122+ mahjong terms covering American, Riichi (Japanese), Hong Kong, Chinese Classical, and more. Whether you're a beginner learning the basics or exploring new variants, this glossary will help you master the language of mahjong.

Last updated: January 25, 2026

Search Terms

A2 terms

All HonorsChinese/HK Styles: A hand using only wind and dragon tiles. A limit hand in most variants.
All PungsChinese/HK Styles: A hand containing four pungs/kongs and a pair with no sequences. Worth 3 faan in Hong Kong or a yaku in Riichi (toitoi).

B9 terms

BaimanScoring: Score threshold in Riichi for 8-10 han, worth 16,000/24,000 points.
BamboosTile Types: One of the three suits, also called Bams or Sticks. Shows bamboo stalks representing strings of ancient Chinese coins.
BamsTile Types: Short for Bamboos. One of the three main suits in mahjong.
Betaori(beh-tah-oh-ree)Strategy: Riichi term for completely defensive play, giving up on winning to avoid dealing in.
Big Four WindsChinese/HK Styles: Limit hand with pungs/kongs of all four winds.
Big Three DragonsChinese/HK Styles: A hand containing pungs/kongs of all three dragons. A limit hand or high-scoring pattern.
Blind PassAmerican Mahjong: Passing tiles without looking at them, typically when you receive tiles you don't want to keep.
Blood BattleChinese/HK Styles: Sichuan mahjong rule where play continues after the first win until three players have won or the wall is exhausted.
Breaking the WallGameplay: The process of determining where to start drawing tiles at the beginning of a hand, typically using dice.

C11 terms

CardAmerican Mahjong: The official NMJL scoring card listing all valid winning hands for the year. A new card is released each spring.
CharactersTile Types: One of the three suits, also called Craks, Wan, or Ten Thousands. Features Chinese numerals on top and the character for 'ten thousand' on bottom.
CharlestonAmerican Mahjong: A pre-game ritual in American mahjong where players pass tiles in a set pattern (right, across, left) to improve their starting hands.
Chicken HandChinese/HK Styles: A winning hand worth zero faan in Hong Kong mahjong. Cannot win with a chicken hand under the standard 3-faan minimum rule.
Chinitsu(chee-nee-tsoo)Riichi (Japanese): Yaku worth 6 han (5 if open) for a hand using only one suit with no honors. One of the highest-scoring common yaku.
Chow(chow)Sets & Melds: A sequence of three consecutive tiles in the same suit (e.g., 4-5-6 of Bamboos). Also called a 'run' in American Mahjong. In American Mahjong, you cannot call a discard to expose a run mid-game — runs can only be called if the discard completes your Mahjong.
CirclesTile Types: Another name for the Dots suit.
ClaimBasic Terms: To take another player's discard to complete a set or win. Also called 'calling' a tile.
ConcealedSets & Melds: Tiles or sets that are hidden from other players (face-down on rack). Worth more in scoring than exposed tiles.
Courtesy PassAmerican Mahjong: An optional final pass of 0-3 tiles across after the Charleston is complete. The player wanting to pass the fewest tiles determines the number exchanged.
CraksTile Types: American mahjong term for the Characters suit. The name comes from the 'cracked' appearance of the Chinese characters on the tiles.

D11 terms

Dangerous TileStrategy: A tile likely to complete an opponent's hand. Also called a 'hot tile.'
Dead TileGameplay: A discarded tile that can no longer be claimed because play has moved on.
Dead WallBasic Terms: A section of tiles set aside at the start that aren't drawn during normal play. Used for replacement draws after kongs and, in Riichi, for dora indicators.
DealerBasic Terms: The player who starts the round, typically seated East. In many variants, the dealer has advantages or disadvantages in scoring.
DefenseStrategy: Playing safely to avoid dealing into an opponent's winning hand, even at the cost of your own progress.
DiscardBasic Terms: A tile placed face-up in the center after a player's turn. Other players may claim discards to complete sets.
Dora(doh-rah)Riichi (Japanese): Bonus tiles in Riichi mahjong that add han value. Indicated by a face-up tile in the dead wall - the next tile in sequence is the actual dora.
DotsTile Types: One of the three suits, also called Circles, Coins, or Wheels. Shows circular designs representing ancient Chinese coins.
Double RiichiRiichi (Japanese): Declaring riichi on your very first turn before discarding. Worth 2 han instead of 1.
DragonsTile Types: Three types of honor tiles: Red Dragon (中), Green Dragon (發), and White Dragon (白). Red symbolizes success, Green prosperity, White purity.
DrawBasic Terms: To take a tile from the wall at the start of your turn.

E5 terms

Earthly HandChinese/HK Styles: When a non-dealer wins on the dealer's first discard. An instant limit hand.
Edge WaitStrategy: Waiting on a 3 to complete 1-2 or a 7 to complete 8-9. Only one tile can complete it.
ExposedSets & Melds: Tiles placed face-up for all to see, either from claiming discards or declaring kongs. Also called 'open.'
ExposureSets & Melds: A set that has been placed face-up on the table after claiming a discard. In American mahjong, placed on top of the rack.
EyesSets & Melds: The pair needed to complete a winning hand. Also called 'head.'

F9 terms

Faan(fahn)Scoring: Scoring unit in Hong Kong/Cantonese mahjong, similar to 'doubles.' Most games require a minimum of 3 faan to win. Hands cap at 10 faan (the limit), scoring maximum points regardless of additional bonuses.
Fan(fahn)Scoring: Scoring unit in Sichuan and some Chinese variants. Each fan doubles the hand value.
First CharlestonAmerican Mahjong: The mandatory first set of three passes: Right, Across, Left.
Flower PigChinese/HK Styles: In Sichuan mahjong, a player who hasn't properly voided their suit by game end. Subject to penalties.
FlowersTile Types: Tiles depicting Plum, Orchid, Chrysanthemum, and Bamboo (the Four Gentlemen). In Asian variants, flowers are immediately revealed when drawn and replaced with a tile from the wall, scoring bonus points. In American Mahjong, flowers are used as regular tiles in hands — they can form pairs and sets on the NMJL card.
FoldStrategy: To abandon your winning attempt and focus purely on defense, discarding only safe tiles.
Fu(foo)Scoring: Minipoints in Riichi mahjong calculated from hand composition (set types, wait patterns). Combined with han to determine final score.
Full FlushChinese/HK Styles: A hand using only one suit with no honors. Worth 7 faan in Hong Kong or chinitsu (6 han) in Riichi.
Furiten(foo-ree-ten)Riichi (Japanese): A state where you cannot win by ron (claiming discards) because you've previously discarded a tile that could complete your hand. Furiten also applies temporarily if you pass on a winning discard, and permanently after riichi if you skip any win. A player in furiten can still win by tsumo (self-draw).

G2 terms

GameBasic Terms: A complete session of mahjong, typically consisting of East and South rounds (8 hands minimum).
Green Dragon(fah)Tile Types: Honor tile (發, Fa) symbolizing prosperity and wealth. The character means 'prosperity' or 'to get rich.'

H10 terms

Half FlushChinese/HK Styles: A hand using only one suit plus honor tiles. Worth 3 faan in Hong Kong or honitsu (3 han) in Riichi.
Han(hahn)Scoring: Scoring unit in Riichi mahjong representing the value of yaku and dora. Each han roughly doubles the hand's base value up to certain limits.
HandBasic Terms: The tiles a player holds during the game, or a complete round of play from deal to win or draw.
HanemanScoring: Score threshold in Riichi for 6-7 han, worth 12,000/18,000 points.
HeadSets & Melds: Another term for the pair in a winning hand.
Heavenly HandChinese/HK Styles: When the dealer wins on their initial 14 tiles without drawing. An instant limit hand.
Honitsu(hoh-nee-tsoo)Riichi (Japanese): Yaku worth 3 han (2 if open) for a hand using one suit plus honor tiles only.
Honor TilesTile Types: Collective term for Wind tiles (East, South, West, North) and Dragon tiles (Red, Green, White). Not part of any suit.
Hot TileAmerican Mahjong: A tile that is likely to help an opponent win. Discarding a hot tile is risky.
Hot WallAmerican Mahjong: When multiple players are close to winning, making any discard dangerous.

I1 term

Ippatsu(ee-pah-tsoo)Riichi (Japanese): Bonus yaku for winning within one turn of declaring riichi, before anyone calls a tile.

J2 terms

JokerTile Types: Wild card tile used in American mahjong (8 per set). Can substitute for any tile in a group of three or more -- pungs, kongs, quints, or sextets -- but not in pairs or singles.
Joker ExchangeAmerican Mahjong: In American mahjong, trading a natural tile for a joker in another player's exposure. The replacing tile must match what the joker represents.

K3 terms

Kabe(kah-beh)Strategy: Defense technique where tiles are safer if all four copies of an adjacent tile are visible.
Kan-doraRiichi (Japanese): Additional dora indicators revealed when a player declares a kong (kan). Each kong adds one more dora indicator.
Kong(kong)Sets & Melds: A set of four identical tiles. Can be concealed (all drawn) or exposed (one claimed). Requires drawing a replacement tile from the dead wall.

L2 terms

Limit HandScoring: A hand that scores the maximum possible points, regardless of additional bonuses. Examples: Thirteen Orphans, Nine Gates.
Live TileGameplay: The most recently discarded tile, which can still be claimed. Becomes 'dead' once the next player draws or discards.

M4 terms

Mahjong(mah-JONG)Basic Terms: A tile-based game for four players that originated in China. Also the call made when completing a winning hand. The name is often said to derive from 'sparrow' in Chinese, referring to the clicking sound tiles make when shuffled.
Mangan(mahn-gahn)Scoring: A score threshold in Riichi mahjong (5 han) worth 8,000 points from a non-dealer or 12,000 from dealer.
MeldSets & Melds: Another word for a set. A valid combination of tiles within a hand.
Middle WaitStrategy: Waiting on one tile to complete a sequence like 3-5 (waiting for 4). Also called 'closed wait.'

N2 terms

Nine GatesChinese/HK Styles: Rare limit hand in one suit: 1112345678999 plus any tile from that suit. Also called 'Nine Lanterns.'
NMJLAmerican Mahjong: National Mah Jongg League - the standard-setting authority that has published the official American mahjong card annually since 1937.

O3 terms

OffenseStrategy: Aggressive play focused on completing your own hand quickly, accepting more risk.
Open WaitStrategy: Waiting on either end of a sequence like 4-5 (waiting for 3 or 6). Best type of sequence wait.
Own WindGameplay: The wind corresponding to a player's seat position (East, South, West, North). Pungs of own wind score extra.

P6 terms

PairSets & Melds: Two identical tiles required to complete most winning hands. Also called 'eyes' or 'head.'
Pinfu(pin-foo)Riichi (Japanese): Yaku worth 1 han for a concealed hand with four sequences, a valueless pair, and a two-sided wait.
PongSets & Melds: Alternative spelling of pung. A triplet of three identical tiles.
Prevailing WindGameplay: The wind of the current round (East round or South round). Pungs of the prevailing wind score extra.
Pung(pung)Sets & Melds: A set of three identical tiles (e.g., three 5-Dots or three East winds). Also spelled 'pong.'
PushStrategy: To continue pursuing your hand aggressively despite the risk of dealing into an opponent.

Q1 term

QuintSets & Melds: A set of five identical tiles, only possible with jokers in American mahjong.

R7 terms

ReadyGameplay: English term for tenpai - needing only one tile to win.
Red Dragon(zhong)Tile Types: Honor tile (中, Zhong) symbolizing success and good fortune. Often displayed with a red Chinese character meaning 'center' or 'hit.'
Riichi(ree-chee)Riichi (Japanese): A declaration in Japanese mahjong when your concealed hand is one tile from winning. Costs 1,000 points but adds bonuses including ura-dora.
Ron(rohn)Gameplay: In Riichi mahjong, declaring a win by claiming another player's discard.
RoundBasic Terms: A set of hands where each player has been dealer at least once. Games typically consist of East round and South round.
Round WindGameplay: Same as prevailing wind - East during East round, South during South round.
RunSets & Melds: American Mahjong term for a chow/sequence. Three consecutive suited tiles (e.g., 3-4-5 Dots). In American Mahjong, runs cannot be called as intermediate exposures — only if the discard completes your Mahjong.

S14 terms

Safe TileStrategy: A tile that cannot be used by a specific opponent to win, typically because they've already discarded it.
SanbaimanScoring: Score threshold in Riichi for 11-12 han, worth 24,000/36,000 points.
SeasonsTile Types: Bonus tiles depicting Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Work like Flower tiles for scoring.
Seat WindGameplay: Same as own wind - the wind assigned to your position at the table.
Second CharlestonAmerican Mahjong: An optional additional set of passes after the first Charleston, going Left, Across, Right.
Self-DrawGameplay: Winning by drawing your final tile from the wall rather than claiming a discard. Often scores bonus points. In Hong Kong mahjong, a self-drawn win means all three opponents pay double.
SequenceSets & Melds: Another name for a chow or run. Three consecutive suited tiles.
SetSets & Melds: A group of tiles that forms a valid combination: pung (triplet), kong (quad), chow (sequence), or quint (five of a kind with jokers).
SimplesTile Types: Tiles numbered 2-8 in any suit. Also called 'minor tiles.' Easier to use in sequences than terminals.
Singles and PairsAmerican Mahjong: Hands on the NMJL card that contain individual tiles or pairs rather than just pungs/kongs. Cannot use jokers.
Small Four WindsChinese/HK Styles: Hand with pungs of three winds and a pair of the fourth.
Small Three DragonsChinese/HK Styles: A hand with pungs of two dragons and a pair of the third dragon.
Suit TilesTile Types: The three numbered tile categories: Characters (Craks), Bamboos (Bams), and Dots (Circles). Each suit has tiles numbered 1-9 with four copies each.
Suji(soo-jee)Strategy: A Riichi defense technique based on the theory that if 4 is discarded, 1 and 7 are safer. Based on sequence wait patterns.

T8 terms

Tai(tie)Scoring: Scoring unit in Taiwanese mahjong. Unlike faan/han, tai points stack additively rather than multiplicatively. In the Traditional system, collecting all 8 flowers and seasons scores 30 tai.
Tanyao(tahn-yow)Riichi (Japanese): Common yaku worth 1 han for a hand using only simples (2-8) with no terminals or honors.
Tenpai(ten-pie)Gameplay: Being one tile away from completing a winning hand. Also called 'ready' or 'waiting.'
TerminalsTile Types: Tiles numbered 1 or 9 in any suit. Also called 'terminal tiles' or 'ends.' More valuable than simples in most scoring systems.
Thirteen OrphansChinese/HK Styles: Special limit hand containing one of each terminal and honor (1 and 9 of each suit, all winds and dragons) plus one duplicate.
Tile EfficiencyStrategy: The skill of arranging your hand to maximize the number of tiles that improve it.
Toitoi(toy-toy)Riichi (Japanese): Yaku worth 2 han for a hand with four pungs/kongs and a pair (all triplets, no sequences).
Tsumo(tsoo-moh)Gameplay: In Riichi mahjong, declaring a win by self-draw from the wall.

U1 term

Ura-dora(oo-rah doh-rah)Riichi (Japanese): Hidden dora revealed only when a riichi declarer wins. The tiles under the dora indicators become additional dora indicators.

V1 term

Voiding a SuitChinese/HK Styles: In Sichuan mahjong, declaring one suit you won't use and discarding all tiles of that suit before normal play.

W6 terms

WaitStrategy: The tile(s) that would complete your tenpai hand. Waits can be open (many tiles), closed (few tiles), or single.
WaitingGameplay: The state of being one tile from winning. Also describes which specific tiles would complete the hand.
WallBasic Terms: The arrangement of face-down tiles from which players draw. At game start, tiles are arranged in a square formation resembling walls.
Wall GameGameplay: When all tiles are drawn without anyone winning. Also called a draw, exhaustive draw, or 'goulash.'
White Dragon(bye)Tile Types: Honor tile (白, Bai) symbolizing purity. May appear blank or with a blue/black frame depending on the set.
WindsTile Types: Four types of honor tiles: East (東), South (南), West (西), and North (北). Four copies of each in a standard set.

Y2 terms

Yaku(yah-koo)Riichi (Japanese): Scoring patterns in Riichi mahjong. A hand must have at least one yaku to win - simply completing a hand isn't enough.
Yakuman(yah-koo-mahn)Riichi (Japanese): Limit hand in Riichi mahjong worth maximum points (32,000 from non-dealer). Examples: Thirteen Orphans, Four Concealed Pungs.

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