Definition

A traditional Chinese game played with tiles, where players try to form specific combinations to win.

Example

We played mahjong all night with our friends.

Conversation

Have you ever played mahjong before?

No, I haven't, but I've heard it's really fun!

It is! We should get a group together and play some mahjong this weekend.

That sounds like a great idea; I’d love to learn how to play.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Mahjong originates from the Chinese word "májiàng" (麻將), where "má" (麻) means hemp or flax, and "jiàng" (將) means to take or to capture. The game is named after the tiles that resemble the shapes of these materials, reflecting its cultural roots in Chinese tradition.

Memory Tip

Imagine the game named after 'hemp' ('má') and 'to take' ('jiàng'), which helps you remember that Mahjong involves capturing tiles in a strategic game.

Visually Confused Words