num
lakh
lahk
Lakh (num) means In South Asian English, the number one hundred thousand (100,000). Example: “The car costs five lakh rupees.”
num
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In South Asian English, the number one hundred thousand (100,000).
"The car costs five lakh rupees."
"The festival drew a crowd of over a lakh people."
How to use lakh
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA South Asian counting unit meaning 100,000, used constantly in Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi English.
UK vs US
Standard in Indian English but not used in British or American English, where "hundred thousand" is used instead.
Common pairings
one lakh rupees
lakhs of people
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Word forms
- Plural
- lakhs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The car costs five _____ rupees.
Etymology
From Hindi/Urdu लाख / لاکھ (lākh), from Sanskrit lakṣa.
Frequently asked questions
What does “lakh” mean?
The word “lakh” means in South Asian English, the number one hundred thousand (100,000). In plain terms, a South Asian counting unit meaning 100,000, used constantly in Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi English.
How do you pronounce “lakh”?
“Lakh” is pronounced lahk (/lɑk/ in IPA).
How do you use “lakh” in a sentence?
Here is “lakh” used in a sentence: “The car costs five lakh rupees.”
What part of speech is “lakh”?
“Lakh” is a num.
Where does the word “lakh” come from?
The word “lakh” comes from Sanskrit. From Hindi/Urdu लाख / لاکھ (lākh), from Sanskrit lakṣa.
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