rakam

Rakam is a term of Arabic origin used in several languages to mean "number" or "digit." In Arabic itself, the standard word is رقـم (raqam), used across mathematics, counting, and common speech.

Etymology and sense: The word comes from the Arabic root ر-ق-م, which is associated with counting, marking, and inscription. Besides its numerical sense, raqam can also refer to a figure or mark, and the related verb raqama means to inscribe or engrave.

Usage and contexts: In Arabic, raqam appears in everyday phrases such as raqm al-hatif, meaning the phone number, or raqam al-hisaab for an account number. In languages influenced by Arabic, such as Urdu and Persian, the term is used in similar numerical contexts to denote numbers, numerals, or digits in lists, forms, and databases. The word may be written in Arabic script or transliterated as raqam.

Relation to numerals: Rakam is closely linked to the Hindu-Arabic numeral system, which underpins most contemporary digits and counting worldwide. The term itself is not universal across all languages, but it remains common in regions and languages that borrow Arabic vocabulary for mathematical and administrative language.

See also: Numeral, Digit, Hindu-Arabic numerals, Arabic language, Urdu language.