gau2 zi2 lin4 waan4九子連環九子连环

Jyutpinggau2 zi2 lin4 waan4

Yalegáu jí lìhn wàahn

Definition

Nine Gates; a rare and high-scoring winning hand in Mahjong.

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How it's used

Nine Gates is considered one of the most prestigious and difficult hands to achieve in Mahjong. It requires a specific structure of 1-1-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-9-9 in one suit, plus any additional tile of the same suit to complete the set. Because it is so rare, it is often treated as a special scoring hand that guarantees a high payout.

Examples

ngo5我gam1今maan5晚daa2打paai2牌ging2竟jin4然sik6食zo2咗gau2九zi2子lin4連waan4環aa4呀！

I actually won with a Nine Gates hand playing mahjong tonight!

nei5你zi1知m4唔zi1知dim2點joeng2樣sin1先ho2可ji5以sik6食gau2九zi2子lin4連waan4環？

Do you know how to win with a Nine Gates hand?

Common phrases

sik6食gau2九zi2子lin4連waan4環

to win with a Nine Gates hand

Common mistake

Beginners often confuse this with other high scoring hands like Thirteen Orphans. Remember that Nine Gates must be composed entirely of a single suit, whereas Thirteen Orphans requires a specific set of distinct tiles across all suits and honors.