das  Lotto

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈlɔto/

What Does 'das Lotto' Mean? 🎲

Das Lotto refers to a game of chance, specifically a lottery, where participants select a set of numbers. These numbers are later drawn randomly. The goal is to match as many drawn numbers as possible to win cash or non-cash prizes.

It's a very common form of lottery. The term Lotto is used for the game principle itself, often also for the organizing company or a single draw.

⚠️ Achtung: Glücksspiel kann süchtig machen! (Attention: Gambling can be addictive!)

Article rules for der, die, and das

Cracking the Code: Grammar of das Lotto

Das Lotto is a neuter noun (sächlich). It is mostly used in the singular.

Declension Singular

Here's how 'das Lotto' changes in the singular depending on its grammatical case:

Declension Plural

The plural form die Lottos is quite rare. It's mainly used when referring to different types of lottery games or different lottery organizations.

Example Sentences

• Jeden Samstag spielt er Lotto.
  (He plays the lottery every Saturday.)
• Die Ziehung der Lottozahlen findet am Mittwochabend statt.
  (The drawing of the lottery numbers takes place on Wednesday evening.)
• Hast du schon einmal im Lotto gewonnen?
  (Have you ever won the lottery?)
• Der Jackpot des Lottos ist diese Woche besonders hoch.
  (The lottery jackpot is particularly high this week.)
• Sie gab ihr ganzes Geld für Lotto aus.
  (She spent all her money on the lottery. - Accusative case)

Playing the Lottery: Using 'Lotto' 📝

In everyday German, das Lotto is almost exclusively used in the context of the lottery game.

• Lotto spielen: (To play the lottery) The most common usage. Example: „Ich spiele jeden Mittwoch Lotto.“ (I play the lottery every Wednesday.)
• Im Lotto gewinnen: (To win the lottery) The dream of many players. Example: „Stell dir vor, wir gewinnen im Lotto!“ (Imagine we win the lottery!)
• Die Lottozahlen: (The lottery numbers) The winning numbers determined in the draw. Example: „Kannst du die Lottozahlen vorlesen?“ (Can you read out the lottery numbers?)
• Der Lottoschein: (The lottery ticket/slip) The form used to submit one's number picks. Example: „Ich muss noch meinen Lottoschein abgeben.“ (I still need to hand in my lottery ticket.)
• Die Lottoannahmestelle: (The lottery retailer/outlet) The place where you can buy and submit lottery tickets.

Figuratively, „Lotto spielen“ can also mean taking a big risk or relying purely on chance.

There's little risk of confusion as the word is very specific to this game. It differs from die Lotterie, which is a more general term for draws, while das Lotto usually refers to the specific numbers game (e.g., 6 aus 49 in Germany).

Memory Hooks for 'das Lotto' 🧠

Article mnemonic (das): Think of the neutral concept of 'luck' or 'fortune' – das Glück. Many abstract concepts in German tend to be neuter (das). Or imagine: 'Das game is Lotto!' – connecting the 's' sound in 'das' and 'is' to Lotto.

Meaning mnemonic: Lotto sounds like the English 'lot' or 'lots'. You hope to win 'a lot of' money. Or think of the 'lots' of little circles you mark on the ticket (der Lottoschein).

Similar Words & Opposites ↔️

Similar Sounding / Confusing Words

• Das Motto: (Motto, slogan) Sounds vaguely similar.
• Lotte: A female first name.

A Lottery Laugh 😂

Fragt der Lottogewinner den Berater: "Was soll ich denn jetzt mit den ganzen Millionen machen?"
(The lottery winner asks the advisor: "What should I do with all these millions?")

Sagt der Berater: "Also, erstmal die Hälfte für Steuern zurücklegen."
(The advisor says: "Well, first set aside half for taxes.")

Der Gewinner: "Okay, und was mache ich mit der anderen Hälfte?"
(The winner: "Okay, and what do I do with the other half?")

Der Berater: "Die können Sie dann nach Belieben ausgeben!"
(The advisor: "You can spend that however you like!")

Der Gewinner: "Puh, da bin ich aber erleichtert. Ich dachte schon, ich muss jetzt sparsam leben!" 😄
(The winner: "Phew, I'm relieved. I thought I'd have to live frugally now!")

Verses of Hope ✍️

Sechs kleine Kreuze, fein und zart,
(Six little crosses, fine and delicate,)
auf einem Schein, ganz aparte Art.
(on a ticket, quite a special kind.)
Das Lotto ruft, die Kugel rollt,
(The Lotto calls, the ball does roll,)
ein Traum vom Glück, von purem Gold.
(a dream of luck, of purest gold.)
Die Zahlen tanzen, hoffnungsschwer,
(The numbers dance, heavy with hope,)
vielleicht wird heut' das Leben fair?
(perhaps today life will be fair?)
Man hofft und bangt, es ist bekannt,
(One hopes and worries, it is known,)
das große Los in Lottoland.
(the grand prize in Lottery land.)

What Am I? A Guessing Game 🤔

Ich habe Zahlen, doch kein Maß.
(I have numbers, but no measure.)
Ich bringe Freude, manchmal Hass.
(I bring joy, sometimes hate.)
Man kreuzt mich an, Woche für Woche,
(You mark me, week after week,)
hofft auf den Gewinn, die große Poche.
(hoping for the win, the big haul.)
Mit Kugeln wird mein Schicksal klar,
(With balls my fate becomes clear,)
Millionen winken, wunderbar!
(Millions beckon, wonderful!)

Was bin ich?
(What am I?) (Answer: Das Lotto)

Lotto Trivia & Facts 💡

• Wortherkunft (Word Origin): The word "Lotto" comes from Italian. Lotto means "lot," "share," or "destiny." It originated in 15th-century Genoa as a type of election process that later evolved into a game of chance.
• Verbreitung (Distribution): Lotto in various forms (e.g., 6 aus 49 in Germany, EuroMillions, Powerball in the US) is one of the most popular forms of gambling worldwide.
• Staatliche Kontrolle (State Control): In many countries, lotteries are state-regulated or operated directly by the state, often to generate revenue for public or charitable purposes.