宝(たから)くじ

たからくじ
noun
lottery; lottery ticket
money
1. lottery; lottery ticket
A form of gambling where numbered tickets are sold and winners are selected by drawing. Also refers to the ticket itself.
宝(たから)くじを買(か)った。
I bought a lottery ticket.
宝(たから)くじで三(さん)等(とう)が当(あ)たった。
I won third prize in the lottery.
年末(ねんまつ)ジャンボ宝(たから)くじは毎年(まいとし)大(おお)きな話題(わだい)になる。
The year-end Jumbo Lottery becomes a big topic every year.

Usage

One of the most popular forms of legal gambling in Japan. Tickets are sold at dedicated lottery booths (宝(たから)くじ売(う)り場(ば)) often found near train stations. Major drawings include the year-end Jumbo (年末(ねんまつ)ジャンボ) and Summer Jumbo (サマージャンボ).

Common collocations

Writing

Also written as 宝籤(たからくじ), but the mixed kana/kanji spelling 宝(たから)くじ is standard.

Related Words

Compare: 賭博(とばく) (gambling (formal/legal term))
Compare: スクラッチ (scratch card (lottery))
general
Added 2026.3.22 17:52 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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