ਦਸ ਲੱਖ
das lakkh
The English word 'million' is translated into Punjabi as ਦਸ ਲੱਖ (das lakkh).
In Punjabi, the number equal to one thousand thousand is expressed using the term ਦਸ ਲੱਖ.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means 'ten lakh', where ਲੱਖ (lakh) is the unit representing one hundred thousand.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the unit ਲੱਖ refers to one hundred thousand, the standard way to express one million is by using the phrase ਦਸ ਲੱਖ (ten lakh).
How do you pronounce it?
das lakkh
Did you know?
- The word ਲੱਖ (lakh) used in the phrase is a direct descendant of the Sanskrit word लक्ष (laksha), which originally meant a 'mark' or 'target' to be hit.
- In Punjabi culture, the word ਲੱਖ is often used hyperbolically in poetry and songs to mean 'countless' or 'innumerable' rather than exactly one hundred thousand.
- While English speakers count in groups of three zeros, Punjabi speakers typically use a system of two zeros after the first thousand, creating units like ਲੱਖ and ਕਰੋੜ.
Examples in context
- ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਦੀ ਆਬਾਦੀ ਦਸ ਲੱਖ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਹੈ।shahar dī ābādī das lakh toṃ vadh hai.The city's population is more than ten lakh.
Example conversation
Kiran and Aman are discussing the price of a new car.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਕੀ ਇਹ ਕਾਰ ਦਸ ਲੱਖ ਦੀ ਹੈ?kī ih kār das lakh dī hai?Is this car ten lakh?
- ਅਮਨ Amanਹਾਂ, ਇਸਦੀ ਕੀਮਤ ਦਸ ਲੱਖ ਹੈ।hāṃ, isadī kīmat das lakh hai.Yes, its price is ten lakh.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਹਿੰਗੀ ਹੈ।ih bahut mahingī hai.That is very expensive.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਪਰ ਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧੀਆ ਮਾਡਲ ਹੈ।par ih bahut vadhīā mādal hai.But it is a very good model.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਦਸ, ਲੱਖ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
