Chinese Mahjong Terminology: Essential Terms Every Player Should Know

Introduction

If you’re new to Mahjong, the language of the game can feel intimidating at first.
Terms like pung, chow, kong, and fan appear constantly — each describing specific tile combinations, moves, or scoring concepts.

Understanding Mahjong terminology is the first step toward reading the table fluently and communicating confidently during play.
This guide explains the most common Chinese Mahjong terms every beginner should know.

1. Tile Categories

Suit Tiles

Mahjong uses three suits of numbered tiles (1–9):

• Dots (or Circles, 筒子 – tóng zi) – circular patterns resembling coins.

• Bamboo (条子 – tiáo zi) – bamboo sticks representing strings of coins.

• Characters (万子 – wàn zi) – Chinese numerals with the character “萬 (wan).”

Each suit has four copies of each number tile, forming the core of the game.

Honor Tiles

These have no numbers and add character to Mahjong scoring.

• Winds (风牌 – fēng pái): East, South, West, North.
• Dragons (三元牌 – sān yuán pái): Red (中 zhōng), Green (發 fā), White (白板 bái bǎn).

Honor tiles often carry higher scoring potential and symbolic meaning.

Bonus Tiles

Optional Flowers (花牌 – huā pái) and Seasons (季牌 – jì pái) give small scoring bonuses when drawn.

2. Core Gameplay Terms

Wall (牌墙 – pái qiáng)

At the start of each round, all 144 tiles are stacked into a square wall two tiles high.
Players draw from this wall during the game.

Hand (手牌 – shǒu pái)

The tiles a player currently holds — typically 13 tiles, plus one extra during their turn.

Draw (摸牌 – mō pái)

Taking the next tile from the wall.

Discard (打牌 – dǎ pái)

Placing one tile face up on the table to end your turn.

Call (吃 / 碰 / 杠 – chī / pèng / gàng)

Claiming another player’s discard to form a combination:

• Chow or Chi (吃 chī): sequence of three consecutive tiles in one suit.
• Pung (碰 pèng): three identical tiles.
• Kong (杠 gàng): four identical tiles.

Only the player to your left can give you a tile for a chow, but anyone’s discard can be used for a pung or kong.

Mahjong (胡牌 – hú pái)

Declaring victory when you complete a legal hand: four melds and one pair (14 tiles).

3. Hand Components

Term	Meaning	Example
Meld (面子 – miàn zi)	A set of tiles forming a chow, pung, or kong.	3-4-5 Bamboo; Red Dragon ×3.
Pair (将牌 – jiāng pái)	Two identical tiles.	5 Characters ×2.
Concealed (暗 – àn)	Meld formed entirely from your own draws (kept hidden).	Hidden melds in hand.
Exposed (明 – míng)	Meld completed using another player’s discard (revealed on table).	Open melds on the table.

Tip: A standard winning hand in Chinese Mahjong consists of four melds and one pair — 14 tiles total.

4. Game Flow and Table Terms

Dealer (庄家 – zhuāng jiā)

The East Wind player who starts the round. Dealer keeps the position if they win.

Round (圈 – quān)

A complete cycle of four hands, one for each Wind direction.

Turn Order

Play proceeds counterclockwise: East → South → West → North.

Discard Pile (弃牌 – qì pái)

The area where each player’s discarded tiles are placed in front of them.

Dead Wall (死牌 – sǐ pái)

Tiles set aside for replacement draws when players declare kongs.

5. Scoring Terms

Fan (番 – fān)

A “fan” is a scoring multiplier awarded for special hand features — the higher your fan count, the higher your score.

Base Points (底分 – dǐ fēn)

Starting score used before multiplying by fans.

Self-Draw (自摸 – zì mō)

Winning on a tile you draw yourself, not from another player’s discard.

Limit Hand (封顶番 – fēng dǐng fān)

A high-value hand that reaches the maximum allowed fans in a round.

6. Table Etiquette and Communication

• Calling “Pung,” “Kong,” or “Chi” aloud is required to claim a discard.
• Announce “Hu” (胡) when you win.
• Handle tiles gently and keep your discards organized.

These habits make play smooth and respectful.

7. Summary Table: Common Chinese Mahjong Terms

English Term	Chinese	Pronunciation	Description
Mahjong	麻将	má jiàng	The game itself.
Chow	吃	chī	Sequence of three consecutive tiles in the same suit.
Pung	碰	pèng	Three identical tiles.
Kong	杠	gàng	Four identical tiles.
Pair	将	jiāng	Two identical tiles (eyes).
Fan	番	fān	Scoring multiplier for special hand patterns.
Wall	牌墙	pái qiáng	The stacked tiles from which players draw.
Discard	打牌	dǎ pái	A tile thrown out at the end of a turn.
Self-draw	自摸	zì mō	Winning with a tile you draw yourself.

Conclusion

Mastering Mahjong terminology is like learning a new language — it turns confusion into clarity.
Once you understand these key words, you’ll follow table talk naturally and enjoy smoother, faster games.

Whether you’re playing casually or studying advanced strategies, knowing the right terms builds the foundation for every skill level.blend of competition and conversation.

–> Continue learning in Mahjong Academy

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