maa4 zoeng3麻將麻将
Jyutpingmaa4 zoeng3
Yalemàh jeung
Definition
Mahjong; the term for the tile game typically used in Taiwan and Mainland China.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
While 麻將 is understood by all Cantonese speakers due to exposure to media from other regions, the native term used in Hong Kong is 麻雀. Using 麻將 in a local setting might sound slightly foreign or like you are specifically referring to the style of play or terminology common in Mainland China or Taiwan. Most Hong Kongers will immediately switch to calling the game 麻雀 in casual conversation.
Measure word
fu3副fuExamples
They played Mahjong all night last night.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 麻將 because it is the standard term in Mandarin textbooks, but it can sound unnatural or overly formal in a local Hong Kong context where 麻雀 is the default.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
