Here's a breakdown:
* लोक (lok) means "people"
* तंत्र (tantra) means "system" or "governance"
So, loktantra literally translates to "rule of the people" or "government by the people."
Other less common translations might include:
* जनतंत्र (jantantra) which is also "rule of the people" but emphasizes the common people.
* प्रजातंत्र (prajatantra) which means "rule of the subjects" or "republic."
The most accurate and commonly used translation is लोकतंत्र (loktantra).