‘摸奖’ literally means ‘to touch a prize’, but in modern usage it refers to the act of drawing or selecting a prize from a lottery, raffle, or promotional game—typically by reaching into a container (like a box or drum) and pulling out a ticket or token. The character 摸 emphasizes the physical, hands-on action of feeling or selecting blindly, while 奖 means ‘prize’ or ‘award’. Together, they evoke the playful, suspenseful experience of chance-based reward systems common at festivals, shopping malls, company events, or charity fairs.

This term is informal and widely understood across mainland China, though it’s less common in formal writing (where 抽奖 is preferred). It carries a casual, slightly nostalgic or grassroots connotation—often associated with community activities rather than high-stakes gambling. Unlike lottery-style games involving numbered tickets and official draws, 摸奖 usually implies simplicity, immediacy, and direct participation.