The Mandarin name of the game, májiàng (麻將), is linked to an older name, máquè (麻雀), which means sparrows. Southern Chinese dialects still use names related to it. That is one reason many sets show a bird on the One of Bamboo. In English, most people say mah-JONG or mah-ZHONG, and both are understood at the table. American players often spell it mah jongg.
The sparrow
The characters 麻雀 literally mean “little sparrows,” or more loosely, “hemp sparrows.” Cantonese speakers still say something close to this, màh-jeuk. Some people connect the name to the sound of tiles clicking together, which they compare to chattering birds. That is a charming idea, though it is hard to prove.
Spellings you will see
| Spelling | Where you will see it |
|---|---|
| Mahjong | The most common English spelling, used on this site |
| Mah jongg | American play, including the League’s name |
| Mah-Jongg | Early American books and sets |
| Mahjongg | Many computer games and sets |
| Majiang | A romanization of the Mandarin name |
| Mahjeung | One romanization of the Cantonese name |
Babcock’s 1920 book helped spread the Mah-Jongg spelling. Later, American players kept it.
How to say it
In English, you will hear two common ways, and neither is wrong:
- mah-JONG, with a J like “jog.”
- mah-ZHONG, with a soft “zh.”
Many players say “mahj” for short, which is where “mahj night” comes from.
In Mandarin, the word is close to mah-jyahng, and in Japanese, it is maajan.
Other words at the table
If you are curious about other terms, our glossary lists them. Words like pung and kong entered English through early rule books and they are still in use today.
Questions people ask
Is it mahjong or mah jongg?
Both are correct. Mahjong is the most common spelling. Mah jongg is usual in American play, including in the name of the National Mah Jongg League.