This is the 10380th most frequent Japanese word.
麻雀
Mahjong, a tile-based game originating from China.
麻雀 here is used to refer to the game itself, highlighting its characteristics.
麻雀は楽しいゲームです。
Mahjong is an enjoyable game.
麻雀 refers to the structured activity or play involving the game.
昨日、友達と麻雀をしました。
Yesterday, I played mahjong with my friends.
麻雀 is being referenced in the context of knowing how to play or understanding the rules.