[Glossary of Mahjong Terms #5] Mahjong Draw, Discards, Calling Terms

By TAKEYuichi

Published: October 6, 2025 Last updated: March 6, 2026 · 3 min read

Mahjong Draw, Discards & Calling Terms

Drawing, discarding, and calling tiles shape the rhythm of every mahjong hand. This guide explains essential terms for draws & discards, calling (naki / fūro), and closed/open-hand rules. Master these words to follow real games and communicate clearly at the table.

1. Draw & Discard Terms

These are the core actions that happen every turn: you draw from the wall, then discard to the river. Knowing these words helps you track information and tempo.

自摸 / Tsumo: Drawing one tile from the wall on your turn. draw
打牌 / Dahai: Discarding a tile into the river after a draw or after calling (pon/chi/kan). discard
捨牌 / Sutehai: The discarded tiles in the river, or the row of discards placed on the table. discard
ツモ切り / Tsumogiri: Discarding the tile you just drew without adding it to your hand. discard

2. Calling Terms (Naki / Fūro)

Calling lets you take certain opponents’ discards to complete sets. Called sets are exposed (open), which speeds up hand completion but usually reduces yaku value.

ポン / Pon: Claiming a discard to complete a triplet (刻子 / kōtsu) when you have a pair. The set is revealed. call
チー / Chi: Claiming a discard from the player to your left to complete a sequence (順子 / shuntsu). call
明カン / Minkan (Open Kan): Adding a discard to three identical tiles in your hand to form a quad (槓子 / kantsu); exposed on the table. kan
暗カン / Ankan (Closed Kan): Forming a quad using four identical tiles in your hand (drawing the fourth yourself); revealed but closed. kan
空ポン・空チー・空カン: Declaring a call then retracting it; considered improper and often penalized by house rules. error
誤ポン・誤チー・誤カン: Mistaken calls. Typically penalized (e.g., with a 1000-point kyōtaku stick). error
副露 / Fūro: The general act of calling another player’s discard (pon, chi, minkan) to complete sets. call
鳴く（晒す・叩く） / Naku (to call/open): To take a discard and expose the resulting set. call
ポン材 / Ponzai: A pair used as “material” to make a pon. hand shape
ポン聴 / Ponten: Reaching tenpai (ready hand) after making a pon. hand state

3. Menzen & Kui-Related Terms

In Riichi mahjong, some yaku require a fully closed hand (menzen), while others remain valid when open. House rules may vary—always check whether kuitan and atozuke are allowed.

メンゼン役 / Menzen-yaku: Yaku that require a fully closed hand (no calls). closed
門前 / Menzen: Keeping your hand closed without calling discards; all tiles are self-drawn. closed
喰い下がり / Kuisagari: A rule where certain yaku lose 1 han in value when the hand is open (after calling). open hand
喰い制限なし / Kui-seigen-nashi: Rule variation where the yaku remains valid even if the hand is open. open hand
喰いタン / Kuitan: Open tanyao: completing the 2–8 sequences by calling discards (if allowed by the rules). open hand

Tip: Understanding draw, discard, and calling terms helps you follow the action, judge risk, and decide when to stay closed or open your hand for speed.