mo-tze: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/ObscureSpecialized/Slang
Quick answer
What does “mo-tze” mean?
A win or profit in a game, especially mahjong, or more broadly, any stroke of good luck or profitable outcome.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A win or profit in a game, especially mahjong, or more broadly, any stroke of good luck or profitable outcome.
A successful outcome, acquisition, or achievement, often in a competitive or chance-based context. Can refer to financial gain, victory, or an advantageous situation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually unknown in general British English. In American English, it is almost exclusively known within mahjong-playing communities, Jewish communities, or older slang.
Connotations
Has a slightly old-fashioned, ethnic, or niche-game connotation. In American usage, can carry a tone of cheerful, self-satisfied acquisition.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects. Higher recognizability in specific American urban/subcultural contexts than in any general British context.
Grammar
How to Use “mo-tze” in a Sentence
to make a motzeto have a motzeto be a motzeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mo-tze” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in formal business. May appear humorously in informal talk to mean 'a good deal'.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Virtually never used in general everyday conversation outside specific subcultures.
Technical
Has a specific technical meaning in mahjong rules (a winning hand).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mo-tze”
- Misspelling as 'motzy', 'motzee', or 'matzah'. Incorrectly using it as a verb (e.g., 'He motzed a profit').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialized word known primarily in mahjong-playing and certain Jewish-American communities.
No, in standard usage it is only a noun. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to motze') is non-standard.
It comes from Yiddish 'mazel' (luck, from Hebrew 'mazzāl'), entering English via immigrant communities and the game of mahjong.
No, they are etymologically unrelated. 'Matzah' is from Hebrew 'maṣṣāh' (unleavened bread). The similarity is coincidental.
A win or profit in a game, especially mahjong, or more broadly, any stroke of good luck or profitable outcome.
Mo-tze is usually specialized/slang in register.
Mo-tze: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɒtsə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːtsə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Make a motze”
- “That's a real motze!”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MOTZE' as 'MOnopoly winTZE' - a win in a board game that brings you money.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOOD FORTUNE IS A CONCRETE OBJECT TO BE ACQUIRED (you 'make' or 'have' a motze).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'motze' MOST likely to be used correctly?