sorteo

draw

noun sohr-TEH-oh Rare

Also means

lottery

Usage Note

Sorteo refers to any random draw or raffle, from a prize lottery to selecting players' positions before a sports match. It comes from the verb sortear ('to draw lots, to dodge'). A distinction worth noting: la lotería is the formal national lottery institution, while el sorteo is the individual drawing event — the two words often co-occur: el sorteo de la lotería.

Examples

"Ganó un viaje en el sorteo de la empresa."

Natural Translation

She won a trip in the company draw.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spanish Filler Words: 15 Ways to Sound Natural

Spanish filler words like pues, o sea, and vale make you sound natural, not robotic. Learn 15 muletillas sorted by job, by region, and when not to use them.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Ser vs. Estar: When to Use Each in Spanish

Ser vs estar made simple: how you feel and where you are use estar, everything else uses ser. Master the rule, the exceptions, and the traps that flip meaning.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Te Quiero vs Te Amo: Saying "I Love You" in Spanish

Te quiero vs te amo, explained: te quiero is the warm, safe everyday I love you; te amo is deeper and more romantic. A relationship-by-relationship map.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Roll Your Rs in Spanish (Even If You Can't Yet)

Roll your Rs in Spanish by building from the butter sound you already make, then adding airflow. A step-by-step method, minimal pairs, and self-check drills.

June 3, 2026 7 min read