Welcome to our guide on how to say “million” in Indian. In this comprehensive article, we will explore both formal and informal ways to express this quantity. Keep in mind that India is a diverse country with many languages and dialects, so we will focus on the most widely spoken languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, and Kannada. Let’s dive in and discover various ways to express “million” in Indian.
Table of Contents
1. Hindi:
Hindi is the most widely spoken language in India. To say “million” in Hindi, you can use the word “das lakh” which translates to “ten lakhs“. However, if you prefer a more direct translation, the word “million” itself is also recognized.
Example:
“The population of Delhi is around two crore, which translates to twenty million.”
2. Bengali:
Bengali is another widely spoken language in India, predominantly in the state of West Bengal. In Bengali, the word for “million” is “dash lakh“, which is similar to the Hindi translation.
Example:
“The government scheme aims to benefit fifty-eight lakh farmers, equivalent to five million eight hundred thousand.”
3. Telugu:
Telugu is primarily spoken in the southeastern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In Telugu, the word for “million” is “prathi koti“.
Example:
“The blockbuster movie grossed over hundred crores, which is the same as ten million.”
4. Marathi:
Marathi is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. To express “million” in Marathi, you would use the word “dah lakh“.
Example:
“The city witnessed six lakh arrivals for the festival, totaling to six million enthusiastic visitors.”
5. Tamil:
Tamil is the language spoken in the southernmost state of Tamil Nadu. In Tamil, the word “million” is represented by “ayiram koti“.
Example:
“The novel sold ten lakhs copies in a month, reaching the remarkable feat of one million readers.”
6. Kannada:
Kannada is the principal language of the state of Karnataka. In Kannada, the word for “million” is “das lakh“.
Example:
“The tech startup amassed a funding of four crore, corresponding to forty million in total investments.”
Tips and Additional Information:
- In India, the numeral system is similar to the Western system. For example, “ten lakh” equals “one million“, “one crore” equals “ten million“, and so on.
- When speaking formally or in official capacities, it is generally better to use the specific Indian words, such as “das lakh” or “prathi koti“.
- English terms like “million” are widely understood, especially in urban areas and among younger generations.
- Remember that some regional variations may exist within different states, so it’s always useful to consult native speakers or refer to local guides when in doubt.
- While billion is commonly used in Western countries, the term is mostly unheard of in Indian languages, where crore (ten million) is the highest numeral used.
Now that you have a better understanding of how to express “million” in Indian languages, you can confidently communicate numeric quantities in a formal or informal setting. Whether you choose to use the native terms or stick to the English equivalents, you will be able to effectively convey large numbers. Enjoy exploring the diverse linguistics of India!
