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
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Kanji
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English
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Explanation
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- Kyoku
- Ton iikyoku
- Ton nikyoku
- Etc.
- Oorasu
Melds
Japanese
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Kanji
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English
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Explanation
Mentsu
「」 Meld
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Generic term for tile melds.
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Anjun
「」 Sequence
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Closed sequence.
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Ankan
「」 Cloed kan.
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Four identical tiles in the hand.
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Ankou
「」 Closed triplet
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Three identical tiles in the hand.
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Chakan
「」 Added kan
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A minkou upgraded to a kantsu.
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Daiminkan
「」 Open kan
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Open kan from a discarded tile.
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Kantsu
「」 Four-of-a-kind
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Four identical tiles.
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Minkou
「」 Open triplet
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Open koutsu from a discarded tile.
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Shuntsu
「」 Closed sequence
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Sequential meld in the hand.
|
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Rule specific
Japanese
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Kanji
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English
|
Explanation
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Scoring
Japanese
|
Kanji
|
English
|
Explanation
Aka dora
「」 Red dora tiles
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Tiles marked red to indicate as dora, regardless of the dora indicator. Typically used for the 5's of the three suits.
|
Baiman
「」
|
A hand of value 8, 9, or 10 han.
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Dora
「」 Bonus tiles
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A specific tile type, that is assigned 1 han per tile as indicated by the dora indicator(s).
|
Fu
「」 Minipoints
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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.
|
Nomi
「」
|
A term to indicate a hand won with just one particular yaku, without combination with another or any dora.
|
Sanbaiman
「」
|
A hand value of 11 or 12 han.
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Yaku
「」 Pattern
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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.
|
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Seating
Japanese
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Kanji
|
English
|
Explanation
Kamicha
「」 Left player
|
Player seated to the left.
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Oya
「」 Dealer
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Dealer seat, who is designated as East.
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Shimocha
「」 Right player
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Player seated to the right.
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Toimen
「」 Player across
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Player seated across.
|
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Strategic and tactical terms
Japanese
|
Kanji
|
English
|
Explanation
|
- Damaten
- Suji
- Betaori
- Kabe
- Etc
Tiles
Manzu
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Ii wan |
Ryan wan |
San wan |
Suu wan |
Uu wan |
Ro wan |
Chii wan |
Pa wan |
Chuu man
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Souzu
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Ii sou |
Ryan sou |
San sou |
Suu sou |
Uu sou |
Ro sou |
Chii sou |
Pa sou |
Chuu man
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Pinzu
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Ii pin |
Ryan pin |
San pin |
Suu pin |
Uu pin |
Ro pin |
Chii pin |
Pa pin |
Chuu man
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Jihai
Kazehai
Sangenpai
Tile categories
- Terminals
- Honors (Jihai)
- Simples
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
「」
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A call to indicate a winning hand by discard
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Tsumo
「」
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A call to indicate a winning hand by self-draw
|
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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
Terminology list at Osamuko