Given the multitude of Japanese terminology in the game, many terms are used in association with each other. For example, a separate set of terms are dedicated to the yaku , as names for each pattern.
Game rounds
Japanese
Kanji
English
Explanation
Kyoku
Ton iikyoku
Ton nikyoku
Etc.
Oorasu
Melds
Japanese
Kanji
English
Explanation
Mentsu
「」 Meld
Generic term for tile melds.
Anjun
「」 Sequence
Closed sequence.
Ankan
「」 Cloed kan.
Four identical tiles in the hand.
Ankou
「」 Closed triplet
Three identical tiles in the hand.
Chakan
「」 Added kan
A minkou upgraded to a kantsu.
Daiminkan
「」 Open kan
Open kan from a discarded tile.
Kantsu
「」 Four-of-a-kind
Four identical tiles.
Minkou
「」 Open triplet
Open koutsu from a discarded tile.
Shuntsu
「」 Closed sequence
Sequential meld in the hand.
Rule specific
Japanese
Kanji
English
Explanation
Ari
Nashi
Ari ari
Furiten
Atozuke
Kuitan
Chombo
Etc.
Scoring
Japanese
Kanji
English
Explanation
Baiman
「」
A hand of value 8, 9, or 10 han.
Fu
「」 Minipoints
A set of points associated to tile composition: melds, wait patterns, and winning conditions.
Han
「」
A value counter associated with values assigned to yaku and dora (if in possession).
Haneman
「」
A hand of value 6 or 7 han.
Honba
「」
A counter indicating the number of consecutive hands played without a winning hand by any player.
Mangan
「」
A point cap applied to the regular scoring scale. A hand value of 3 han 70 fu, 4 han 40 fu, or 5 han.
Sanbaiman
「」
A hand value of 11 or 12 han.
Yaku
「」 Pattern
Specific patterns that validates hands as winnable.
Yakuman
「」
The limit point value for a hand. A set of patterns whose value is set at this limit.
Seating
Japanese
Kanji
English
Explanation
Kamicha
「」 Left player
Player seated to the left.
Oya
「」 Dealer
Dealer seat, who is designated as East.
Shimocha
「」 Right player
Player seated to the right.
Toimen
「」 Player across
Player seated across.
Strategic and tactical terms
Japanese
Kanji
English
Explanation
Damaten
Suji
Betaori
Kabe
Etc
Tiles
Manzu
Ii wan
Ryan wan
San wan
Suu wan
Uu wan
Ro wan
Chii wan
Pa wan
Chuu man
Souzu
Ii sou
Ryan sou
San sou
Suu sou
Uu sou
Ro sou
Chii sou
Pa sou
Chuu man
Pinzu
Ii pin
Ryan pin
San pin
Suu pin
Uu pin
Ro pin
Chii pin
Pa pin
Chuu man
Jihai
Kazehai
Sangenpai
Tile calls
Japanese
Kanji
English
Explanation
Kan
「」
A call declaring possesion of four identical tiles.
Pon
「」
A call making a claim to upgrade a pair of identical tiles to an open set of three identical tiles (minkou).
Ron
「」
A call to indicate a winning hand by discard
Tsumo
「」
A call to indicate a winning hand by self-draw
Wait patterns
Japanese
Kanji
English
Explanation
Tenpai
Machi
Ryanmen
Shanpon
Tanki
Ryanmenten
Etc.
Yaku
Main article:
List of yaku
Every yaku is referred by a specific name. While they each have English equivalence, it is encouraged to learn the yaku names by their Japanese name.
External links