宝くじ
takarakuji[ta̠ka̠ɾa̠kɯ̟ʑi]
In Japanese, 'lottery' is expressed as 宝くじ (takarakuji). Wiktionary also lists くじ (kuji) and 富くじ (tomikuji).
Meaning: scheme for the distribution of prizes by lot or chance (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 宝くじ | takarakuji | [ta̠ka̠ɾa̠kɯ̟ʑi] (narrow) |
| くじ | kuji | [kɯ̟ʑi] (narrow) |
| 富くじ | tomikuji | [to̞mʲikɯ̟ʑi] (narrow) |
The term for a lottery is used to describe a scheme for distributing prizes by chance.
Which one should you use?
宝くじ specifically refers to official prize-based lotteries. In contrast, くじ is a general term for any kind of drawing or lot, such as a simple raffle or a random draw for a prize. Other related terms include くじ引き, which refers to a raffle or drawing and 抽選, which refers to the general act of a drawing or lottery.
How do you pronounce it?
takarakuji
Did you know?
- Shrines and temples often sell おみくじ, which are random fortune slips. Unlike a financial 'lottery', these are spiritual draws where the 'prize' is a prediction of your future.
- In Japan, winning a 宝くじ is generally not subject to income tax, as the prize is treated as a form of windfall rather than earned income.
- The word 宝くじ literally translates to 'treasure lottery', combining 宝 meaning 'treasure' or 'precious thing' with くじ meaning 'lot'.
Examples in context
- 宝くじが当たった。I won the lottery.This sentence is useful for saying you won the lottery.Tatoeba #82734 by bunbuku, translation #320982 by CK
- 宝くじを当てたい！I want to win the lottery!This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to win the lottery.Tatoeba #8417382 by newt, translation #9234967 by kedymera
- まだ宝くじ買ってるの？Are you still buying lottery tickets?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is still buying lottery tickets.Tatoeba #8743208 by bunbuku, translation #3150864 by CK
- 宝くじを買うのは楽しみですね。Buying a lottery ticket is enjoyable, isn't it?
- 福引の番号は１２３４番です。The winning number for the raffle is 1234.
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are walking past a lottery booth.
- 結衣 Yuiあそこで宝くじを買おうよ。Asoko de takarakuji o kaou yo.Let's buy a lottery ticket over there.
- 陽太 Yota本当に当たると思う？Hontou ni ataru to omou?Do you really think we'll win?
- 結衣 Yui運が良ければ当たるかもね。Un ga yokereba ataru kamo ne.We might win if we're lucky.
- 陽太 Yotaいいよ、一枚だけ買おう。Ii yo, ichimai dake kaou.Okay, let's just buy one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lottery” translations and entries 宝くじ, くじ, 富くじ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
