Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'lottery' is expressed through different words depending on the type of lottery. The most common term is 宝くじ (takarakuji), which refers to public lotteries with cash prizes. For raffles or drawings at stores or events, 抽選 (chūsen) or 福引 (fukubiki) are used. The word くじ (kuji) is a general term for 'lot' or 'drawing lots'.
A government-run or officially sanctioned lottery where you buy a numbered ticket for a chance to win a large cash prize.
The standard term for a public lottery, especially those with large cash prizes. It literally means 'treasure lottery'. Used for national and regional lotteries.
年末ジャンボ宝くじを買いました。
I bought a year-end jumbo lottery ticket.
宝くじで1億円当たったら、何をしますか？
What would you do if you won 100 million yen in the lottery?
Refers specifically to number-selection lotteries like Loto 6 or Loto 7. Often used in compound names.
毎週ロト6を買っています。
I buy Loto 6 every week.
A specific type of number-picking lottery game in Japan.
ナンバーズ3の当選番号を確認した。
I checked the winning numbers for Numbers 3.
A drawing held at a store, event, or campaign where you draw a lot to win a prize, often after making a purchase.
Refers to a drawing or lottery to select winners. Often used for prize giveaways, event ticket lotteries, or any random selection.
抽選で当たった景品をもらいました。
I received a prize I won in a drawing.
コンサートのチケットは抽選販売です。
Concert tickets are sold by lottery.
Specifically a lottery or raffle held at stores, often during New Year or special sales, where you draw a lot to win a prize. Literally 'lucky draw'.
General term for drawing lots, often used for informal or small-scale lotteries.
The act of drawing lots to decide something, not necessarily for a prize.
The most basic word for 'lot' or 'lottery ticket'. Can refer to the physical lot, the act of drawing, or the system.
くじで順番を決めましょう。
Let's decide the order by drawing lots.
くじを引いてください。
Please draw a lot.
Also used for random selection in non-prize contexts, such as selecting participants or assigning tasks.
The physical ticket or slip used in a lottery.
Can refer to the ticket itself for public lotteries.
宝くじを10枚買った。
I bought 10 lottery tickets.
General term for a lottery ticket or lot.
このくじは外れだった。
This lottery ticket was a loser.
Specifically a ticket for a prize drawing or raffle.
宝くじ (takarakuji) is specifically for public lotteries with large cash prizes, like the Jumbo Lottery. 抽選 (chūsen) is a general term for a drawing or random selection, used for prize giveaways, ticket lotteries, and even non-prize selections. 福引 (fukubiki) is a raffle often held at stores, especially during sales events, where you draw a lot to win a prize on the spot.
In English, 'lottery' can refer to many types of random selection. In Japanese, the specific term depends on the context. Using 宝くじ for a store raffle would sound odd; use 福引 or 抽選 instead.
宝くじが当たった！
I won the lottery!
抽選は来週行われます。
The lottery drawing will be held next week.
店で福引をやっていた。
They held a raffle at the store.
商店街の福引で一等が当たった。
I won first prize in the shopping street raffle.
学園祭でくじ引きを引いた。
I drew a lot at the school festival.
参加者は抽選で選ばれます。
Participants will be chosen by lottery.
レシートで抽選券をもらいました。
I got a raffle ticket with my receipt.