抽签

• Pinyin: chōu qiān
• Hanzi breakdown: 抽 = 扌 (hand) + 由 (from) = to draw out; 签 = ⺮ (bamboo) + 佥 (all) = bamboo slip/lot

Meaning

To draw lots; to draw straws; a method of random selection.

Used for fair random selection in competitions, work assignments, or decision-making. Also refers to drawing fortune sticks at temples. Can be a noun (the lottery system) or verb-object construction.

Examples

1. 比赛顺序由各队抽签决定。 The order of competition is determined by each team drawing lots.
2. 我们用抽签的方式来分配值班任务。 We use a lottery system to assign duty shifts.
3. 她去寺庙抽签想看看今年的运势。 She went to the temple to draw fortune sticks to see her luck for the year.

Usage Guide

Context: competitions, assignments, temples, decisions

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 世界杯小组赛的对阵通过抽签决定。(The World Cup group stage matchups are decided by drawing lots.)
• 大家都想去出差，只好抽签看谁去。(Everyone wants to go on the business trip, so we'll have to draw lots to see who goes.)

Don't Say

• 我抽签了一张票 (抽签 is for lots/straws, not tickets — use 抽 or 抽中 for lottery tickets)

Origin & History

Compound of 抽 (to draw/pull) and 签 (stick/lot). Originally referred to drawing bamboo fortune sticks at temples.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal