抽奖

• Pinyin: chōu jiǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 抽 = 扌(hand) + 由 (from, phonetic), meaning to draw; 奖 = 丬 + 大 + 寸 (simplified), meaning prize or reward

Meaning

To draw a lottery; to raffle. The act of randomly selecting a winner for a prize.

Used for any kind of lucky draw, raffle, or lottery event. Very common in shopping promotions, company events, festivals, and online activities. Can function as both a verb (to draw a prize) and a noun (a lottery or raffle event).

Examples

1. 这家超市正在搞抽奖活动。 This supermarket is running a lottery event.
2. 他运气真好，抽奖抽到了一台电视。 He was really lucky — he won a TV in the raffle.
3. 买东西满一百块钱就可以参加抽奖。 If you spend over 100 yuan, you can participate in the lucky draw.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, events, entertainment

Tone: lighthearted

Do Say

• 年会上有抽奖环节。(There's a lucky draw segment at the annual party.)
• 你中过抽奖吗？(Have you ever won a raffle?)

Don't Say

• 我们抽奖决定谁做作业 (Don't say 抽奖 for deciding tasks — use 抽签 for drawing lots to make decisions; 抽奖 specifically involves winning prizes)

Origin & History

抽 means to draw out; 奖 means prize or reward. Together they mean to draw a prize — a lottery.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal