ChinaBeginner
Teaching a friend mahjong in English (beginner)
Beginner English for teaching a friend mahjong. Key line: “Can I teach you mahjong today?”
Full script
Lin
Can I teach you mahjong today?
Them
Sure, but please go slow. I panic.
Lin
Okay. First, take thirteen tiles.
Them
Why thirteen? Twelve feels safer already.
Lin
Trust me. Match three, or make a run.
Them
A run? Like running? My legs are ready.
Lin
No, no. Three numbers in order.
Them
Got it. My legs can rest then.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Start
✓ Can I teach you mahjong today?Offer to teach now
Use it when you want to teach someone
Slower
✓ Go slow, please.Ask for a slower pace.
Useful when it's hard to follow
Take tiles
✓ Take thirteen tiles.Tell a player how many to take
Use it when explaining rules
Run
✓ Three numbers in order.Explain a run in mahjong
A simple way to explain a run
Quick answers
Start: what to say in English
Say “Can I teach you mahjong today?” — offer to teach now. Use it when you want to teach someone.
Slower: what to say in English
Say “Go slow, please.” — ask for a slower pace. Useful when it's hard to follow.
Take tiles: what to say in English
Say “Take thirteen tiles.” — tell a player how many to take. Use it when explaining rules.
Run: what to say in English
Say “Three numbers in order.” — explain a run in mahjong. A simple way to explain a run.