If you’ve spent any time in the Mah Jongg community, you’ve probably noticed something interesting. Some people write Mah Jongg, others write Mahjong, and still others prefer Mah-jongg.
So…which one is actually correct?
The Short Answer: How Do You Spell It?
The most common spelling is mahjong (one word) — the internationally recognized form. American players who follow the National Mah Jongg League typically write Mah Jongg (two words, two Gs). Mah-Jongg and Mah Jong are also used, and all four refer to the same game.
Mah Jongg (Two Words, Two Gs) — the American Spelling
If you play American Mah Jongg, you’ll most often see it written as Mah Jongg (two words).
This spelling is used by the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) and the American Mah Jongg Association (AMJA). It’s also the spelling you’ll see throughout Destination Mah Jongg because our tournaments follow the National Mah Jongg League rules.
Mahjong (One Word) — the International Spelling
Outside the United States, particularly in Asia and throughout most of the gaming world, you’ll almost always see the game written as Mahjong (one word).
This spelling is commonly used for:
- Chinese Mahjong
- Japanese Riichi Mahjong
- Hong Kong Mahjong
- Singapore Mahjong
- Most mobile apps and online games
If you search the internet, you’ll probably find more results for Mahjong simply because it’s the internationally recognized spelling.
Mah-Jongg (Hyphenated)
Occasionally you’ll see Mah-jongg with a hyphen.
This spelling was more common in older books, magazines, and newspaper articles and is still used by some longtime players. While it isn’t as common today, it’s still considered acceptable.
What About “Mah Jong” and Other Spellings?
You’ll also run into Mah Jong — two words but only one G — in older American writing and casual use. Mahjongg (one word, two Gs) is common enough in American circles that everyone reads it the same way. And there are honest misspellings — majong, mahjonng — that appear constantly in searches and emails. Nobody will be confused; for anything formal, stick with one of the standard spellings above.
Is Mahjong Capitalized?
As a rule, no. In the middle of a sentence the game’s name is lowercase: we played mahjong all afternoon. Capitalize it only when it’s part of a proper name — the National Mah Jongg League, the Mah Jongg World Championship — or at the start of a sentence. Style guides vary, but lowercase for the game itself is the most common convention.
So…Which Should You Use?
At Destination Mah Jongg, we use Mah Jongg because that’s the spelling traditionally associated with the American version of the game and the National Mah Jongg League.
But if someone writes Mahjong or Mah-jongg, don’t worry—they’re almost certainly talking about the same wonderful game.
It’s More Than Just a Spelling
Whether you spell it Mah Jongg, Mahjong, or Mah-jongg, the game brings people together in the same way.
It creates friendships, challenges your mind, sparks a little friendly competition, and fills the room with laughter. That’s something every spelling has in common.
So spell it however you like…
Just keep playing.