tin1 gau2天九
Definition
Tien Gow (Tin Kau); a traditional Chinese domino game for four players.
How it's used
Tien Gow is a traditional game that requires a specific set of thirty-two dominoes, which are physically heavier and thicker than standard mahjong tiles. While the game is often associated with older generations, it remains a staple in traditional social gatherings during festivals like Lunar New Year. Mastery of the game involves memorizing complex ranking systems for the tiles, which can be quite intimidating for beginners compared to simpler card games.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the game itself with the specific tiles used to play it. While the tiles are called 骨牌, the game is specifically referred to as 打天九, and it is important not to conflate this with 牌九, which is a different game that uses the same set of tiles but follows distinct rules and betting structures.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
