How Do You Spell MAH-JONGG?

Pronunciation: [mˈɑːd͡ʒˈɒŋɡ] (IPA)

Mah-jongg is a popular board game that originated in China. The spelling of the word "mah-jongg" is derived from the Mandarin Chinese word "má jiàng" (麻將) which means "hemp general" or "hemp soldier." In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced as /mɑː ˈdʒɒŋ/. It is important to note that the spelling varies across different languages and countries. However, the most commonly used spelling in English is "mah-jongg."

MAH-JONGG Meaning and Definition

  1. Mah-jongg is a traditional Chinese tile game that originated in the late 19th century. It is played with a set of 144 rectangular tiles, each adorned with various symbols and characters. The objective of the game is to collect sets and runs of tiles in order to achieve the highest score.

    The game is typically played by four players and begins with all the tiles being shuffled and arranged facedown in a structure known as the "wall." Each player then takes turns drawing and discarding tiles in an effort to create valid combinations. These combinations can be either a set of three identical tiles, known as a "pung," or a run of three consecutive tiles of the same suit, called a "chow." There are also special combinations known as "kongs" and "quints" that are formed by four or five of the same tile.

    In addition to creating combinations, players can declare a "mah-jongg" if they have a complete set of 14 tiles, which includes four sets and a pair. The player who declares mah-jongg wins the round and receives points based on the specific combination they have created and the value of the tiles used.

    Mah-jongg has gained popularity beyond its Chinese origins and is now enjoyed by people worldwide. While there are many regional variations and house rules, the game generally revolves around strategy, luck, and careful observation of the opponents' moves. It requires concentration, memory, and skill to excel at this captivating and complex tile game.

Common Misspellings for MAH-JONGG

Etymology of MAH-JONGG

The word "mah-jongg" is a transliteration of the Chinese term "麻雀" (Máquè), which literally means "sparrow". The game of mahjong itself originated in China during the Qing dynasty (1644–1912). The name "mah-jongg" was primarily influenced by two factors:

1. Pronunciation: European travelers and observers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries attempted to transcribe the Chinese sounds using their native languages. The English pronunciation "mah-jongg" emerged as a result of these transliteration efforts.

2. Visual association: Mahjong tiles were traditionally made of bone or ivory and were thin and flat—resembling the shape of small birds or, more specifically, sparrow birds. This visual resemblance might have led to the name "mah-jongg" being associated with sparrows.

Similar spelling words for MAH-JONGG

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