लक्ष
lakṣa/lɐk.ʂɐ́/masculine
The English phrase 'lakh' is translated into Sanskrit as लक्ष (lakṣa).
लक्ष is used to represent the number one hundred thousand.
Meaning: one hundred thousand (num)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /lɐk.ʂɐ́/. It consists of two syllables.
Did you know?
- The Sanskrit word लक्ष is used today not just for the number one hundred thousand, but also to mean a 'target' or 'aim' in many Indian languages.
- In Sanskrit, the root of लक्ष relates to the concept of 'marking' or 'noting', which is why it evolved into a term for a specific numerical marker.
- In ancient Sanskrit texts, a 'lakh' could be used as a metaphor for an 'uncountable' or 'vast' number of things, much like saying 'thousands' in English.
Examples in context
- तस्य धनं एकं लक्षं अस्ति।tasya dhanaṃ ekaṃ lakṣaṃ asti.His wealth is one lakh.
Example conversation
Isha and Aditya are talking about a large crowd at a festival.
- ईशा Ishaकिं त्वं तत्र गतः?kiṃ tvaṃ tatra gataḥ?Did you go there?
- आदित्य Adityaआम्, तत्र लक्षं जनाः आसन्।ām, tatra lakṣaṃ janāḥ āsan.Yes, there were one hundred thousand people there.
- ईशा Ishaएषः अतिविशालः समूहः अस्ति।eṣaḥ ativiśālaḥ samūhaḥ asti.That is a very huge crowd.
- आदित्य Adityaसत्यम्, अहं चकितः अस्मि।satyam, ahaṃ cakitaḥ asmi.True, I am surprised.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lakh” translations and entries लक्ष, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries लक्ष, CC BY-SA 4.0.
