mah jong
LowInformal, Gaming
Definition
Meaning
A traditional Chinese game for four players, played with 144 small tiles bearing Chinese characters and symbols.
The set of tiles used to play this game; the social activity or culture surrounding playing this game.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically refers to the game itself or the physical tiles. It is a culture-specific term for an imported activity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK spelling may sometimes be hyphenated or written as two words ('mah jong'), while US spelling is commonly 'mahjong' or 'mah-jongg'. The specific variant played may differ.
Connotations
Connotes a social, often elderly or communal pastime in the UK. In the US, often associated with specific American variants and 1920s fads.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects. Known as a cultural import.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
We play mah jong (on Tuesdays).She bought a mah jong set.He's teaching us mah jong.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in the context of importing/selling games or organising social events.
Academic
Appears in historical or cultural studies regarding Chinese culture or global game diffusion.
Everyday
Used when discussing hobbies, social gatherings, or games.
Technical
Used in game theory or history of games discussions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They often mah jong at the community centre. (informal)
American English
- We're mahjonging every Wednesday now. (informal)
adjective
British English
- The mah-jong evening was a great success.
American English
- She joined a mahjong tournament.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandmother plays mah jong with her friends.
- We bought a beautiful mah jong set while on holiday.
- Learning the complex rules of mah jong requires patience and a good memory.
- The resurgence of mah jong in Western countries reflects an interest in traditional games and social interaction outside digital spaces.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MAH JONG: Imagine a MAJestic (MAH) gONG being struck to start a game.
Conceptual Metaphor
Social ritual, Strategic warfare (arranging and capturing tiles).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation. In Russian, it's directly borrowed as 'маджонг'.
Common Mistakes
- Spelling: 'mahjongg', 'ma jong', 'mahjong'. Using it as a verb incorrectly: 'Let's mah jong tonight.'
Practice
Quiz
What is 'mah jong' primarily?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiple spellings are accepted, including 'mahjong', 'mah-jong', and 'mah jong'. Dictionaries vary.
Informally, yes (e.g., 'We mah-jonged all night'), but it's non-standard. The standard phrasing is 'play mah jong'.
It shares similarities with both, combining elements of skill, strategy, calculation, and chance, but with a unique set of rules and tiles.
Traditionally, yes. It is a game for four players, though solitaire and two-player variants exist.