麻将
má jiàng · HSK 7
mahjong
🀄 sounds like MAH-jyang; 麻 ma (hemp) + 将 jiang (general) — the clattering tile game
麻 má also means hemp/numb (as in 麻烦); 将 jiàng means general/commander. The pronunciation má jiàng maps closely to the English word mahjong, which was borrowed from Chinese.
麻 — shelter 广 + two 林 (hemp fibers)
Originally a pictograph of hemp fibers (林-like shape) being processed under a shelter (广), depicting the workshop where bast fibers were stripped and dried. The core meaning was 'hemp/cannabis plant,' later extended to 'numb' or 'tingling' from the sensation hemp can cause, and to 'rough' textures like hemp cloth.
将 — 爿 (bed/plank) + 寸 (hand) + 月 (meat)
Originally depicted a hand (寸) holding meat (月) beside a table or altar (爿), suggesting offering meat at a ceremony — hence a leader or general who presides. The meaning extended to 'commander' and, as a function word, 'about to' or 'will'. The simplified form 将 streamlines 爿 into 丬.