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
| Aka dora
「」
Red dora tiles
|
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.
|
| Dora
「」
Bonus tiles
|
A specific tile type, that is assigned 1 han per tile as indicated by the dora indicator(s).
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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
 |
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|
| Ii wan |
Ryan wan |
San wan |
Suu wan |
Uu wan |
Ro wan |
Chii wan |
Pa wan |
Chuu man
|
Souzu
 |
 |
 |
 |
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|
| Ii sou |
Ryan sou |
San sou |
Suu sou |
Uu sou |
Ro sou |
Chii sou |
Pa sou |
Chuu man
|
Pinzu
 |
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|
| 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 yakuEvery 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
