About mahjong
What Does Mahjong Mean?
Quick answer
Mahjong is the name of a tile game from China. In English, the word simply names the game. Its meaning goes back to an older Chinese name, maque (麻雀), which means "sparrow." A common story says shuffled tiles sound like chattering sparrows. Today the standard Chinese name is majiang (麻將).
At a glance
- Mahjong is: a tile game from China
- Chinese name today: 麻將 (majiang)
- Older Chinese name: 麻雀 (maque)
- What maque means: sparrow
- First known use in English: 1920
What does mahjong mean in English?
In English, mahjong means the game itself. The word is the name of a tile game from China. It is a noun, like chess.
Here is a simple mahjong definition:
Mahjong (noun): a game, usually for 4 players, played with tiles instead of cards. Players take turns drawing a tile and throwing one away. The first to finish a winning hand wins.
New to the game? Start with what is mahjong.
What does mahjong mean in Chinese?
In Chinese, the game is called majiang. This name grew out of an older name, maque. Translated into English, maque means "sparrow."
| Name | What it is |
|---|---|
| 麻將 (májiàng) | The standard Chinese name today |
| 麻雀 (máquè) | The older name. It means sparrow. |
| mah-jeuk | How Cantonese speakers say 麻雀 |
| mahjong | The English name of the game |
You may also see 麻将. It is the same name, written in simpler characters.
In Mandarin, majiang is said má-jiàng. The first part rises, and the second part falls. See how to pronounce mahjong.
Why was mahjong called sparrow?
No one knows for sure. The common story is about sound. When players shuffle the tiles, the clicking sounds like chattering sparrows.
It is the usual explanation, but it is not proven.
There is also a bird on the tiles. Bams, short for bamboo, are one of the 3 suits of number tiles. In many sets, the 1 bam shows a bird instead of a bamboo stick. Players often call it the sparrow. In Japan, the bird is usually a peacock.
What does mah jongg mean?
Mah jongg means the same thing as mahjong. It is just another spelling of the name. So are mah jong and mah-jong.
The National Mah Jongg League uses the spelling mah jongg. The League puts out the yearly card of winning hands for American mahjong.
The words also have a job at the table. In American mahjong, you call out "Mah Jongg" when your hand is complete. It tells everyone you won.
Not sure which way to write it? See which mahjong spelling is right.
Want to hear the chatter for yourself?
Our American and Chinese sets let you shuffle the tiles and hear the sound at home.
Questions people ask
Is mahjong a Chinese word?
Yes. The name comes from Chinese, and the game began in China in the mid-1800s. Learn more in our guide to mahjong history.
When did the word mahjong come into English?
Its first known use in English was in 1920. It began as a trademark, or brand name, spelled Mah-Jongg.
How do you pronounce mahjong in English?
Say mah-JONG, with the stress on the second part. Some people say mah-ZHONG. Both are correct.