रूप्यकम्
rūpyakam
The Sanskrit word for "rupee" is रूप्यकम् (rūpyakam). If unsure, use रूप्यकम्. Wiktionary also lists रूप्यक (rūpyaka) and रूप्य (rūpya).
Meaning: monetary currency (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| रूप्यकम् | rūpyakam | ||
| रूप्यक | rūpyaka | masculine | |
| रूप्य | rūpya | /ɾuːp.jɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) | masculine |
The term refers to a unit of monetary currency, specifically a silver coin.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the root rūp (to form or shape), and it literally refers to something that has been fashioned or shaped, specifically a silver coin.
Which one should you use?
रूप्यकम् is the default form. रूप्यक is the masculine singular nominative form, while रूप्य is also a masculine singular nominative form used as a stem or in certain specific grammatical contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
रूप्यक and रूप्य are both masculine singular nominative forms. The plural form for "rupees" is रूप्याणि.
How do you pronounce it?
rūpyakam
Did you know?
- Despite the phonetic similarity, the Sanskrit रूप्य is entirely unrelated to the Russian 'ruble'. While both refer to currency, the 'ruble' traces back to the Slavic 'rubit', meaning 'to chop' or 'to cut'.
- In ancient Sanskrit contexts, the word for 'rupee' shares a root with रूप, which means 'beauty' or 'form', linking money to aesthetic perfection.
- In its most literal sense, the term does not just mean 'money', but refers specifically to 'wrought silver'. It highlights the material's transition from a raw metal to a shaped, functional piece of currency.
Examples in context
- एतस्य वस्तुनः मूल्यं एकं रूप्यकम् अस्ति।etasya vastunaḥ mūlyaṃ ekaṃ rūpyakam asti.The price of this item is one rupee.
- किं भवता समीपे रूप्यकम् अस्ति?kiṃ bhavatā samīpe rūpyakam asti?Do you have a rupee?
Example conversation
Ishan and Isha are at a small market stall.
- इशान Ishanएतस्य फलस्य मूल्यं किम्?etasya phalasya mūlyaṃ kim?What is the price of this fruit?
- ईशा Ishaएतस्य मूल्यं केवलं एकं रूप्यकम् अस्ति।etasya mūlyaṃ kevalaṃ ekaṃ rūpyakam asti.The price of this is only one rupee.
- इशान Ishanमम समीपे एकं रूप्यकम् अस्ति।mama samīpe ekaṃ rūpyakam asti.I have one rupee.
- ईशा Ishaअस्तु, धन्यवादः।astu, dhanyavādaḥ.Okay, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rupee” translations and entries रूप्य, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries रूप्य, CC BY-SA 4.0.
