1.
lucky draw; lottery; raffle
A lottery or prize draw typically held at shopping streets, department stores, or festivals, where participants draw lots (often by pulling strings, spinning a wheel, or drawing a ball from a box) to win prizes.
福引きで一等が当たった。
I won first prize in the lucky draw.
買い物をすると福引きの券がもらえる。
When you shop, you can get a lucky draw ticket.
年末の商店街では福引き大会が開かれ、多くの客で賑わっていた。
A lucky draw event was held at the shopping street at year's end, bustling with many customers.
USAGE:
A traditional form of promotional lottery in Japan. The classic format involves a spinning drum ({がらがら}) from which colored balls fall out, with each color corresponding to a prize tier.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 福引きを引く (to draw in a lucky draw)
- 福引き券 (lucky draw ticket)
- 福引き大会 (lucky draw event)
- 福引きで当たる (to win in a lucky draw)
CULTURAL NOTE:
Often seen during 年末 (year-end) sales and 歳末大売り出し (end-of-year sales), and at 縁日 (festival days) at shrines and temples.