A map of where Quechua is spoken. Dark blue indicates where it is an official language, blue indicates where there are large numbers of Quechua speakers and light blue indicates where there are small numbers of Quechua speakers.

Quechua (Kechua or Runasimi) is a Native American language spoken primarily in the Andes of South America. It is unrelated to functionally all other languages on the planet, and therefore the grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary can be challenging for the foreigner.

Pronunciation guide

Quechua was, and remains a primarily oral language, with relatively little written material considering the number of people who speak it. That's due to Spanish dominance in those areas, as well as the socioeconomic situation of many Quechua-speakers. Quechua is also complicated due to its diversity dialect-wise, with multiple dialects with different pronunciation.

Vowels

a

like "a" in "cat" ; (IPA: æ)

i

either like "i" in "bit" (IPA: ɪ), or like "e" as in "bed" (IPA: ɛ)

u

either like "oo" as in hook (IPA: ʊ), or "ough" as in "thought" (IPA: ɔ)

Consonants

ch

like "ch" as in "chat" ; (IPA: tʃ)

chh

like "ch" as in "chat", followed by a puff of air ; (IPA: tʃʰ)

ch'

ejective "ch" ; (IPA: tʃ')

h

like "h" as in "hat" ; (IPA: h)

k

like "k" as in "king" ; (IPA: k)

kh

like "k" as in "king", followed by a puff of air ; (IPA: kʰ)

k'

ejective "k" ; (IPA: k')

l

like "l" as in "lamp" ; (IPA: l)

ll

no exact equivalent in English, similar but distinct from "y" as in "yes" ; (IPA: ʎ)

m

like "m" as in "map" ; (IPA: m)

n

like "n" as in "night" ; (IPA: n)

ñ

like "ny" as in "canyon" ; (IPA: ɲ)

p

like "p" as in "plan" ; (IPA: p)

ph

like "p" as in "plan", followed by a puff of air ; (IPA: pʰ)

p'

ejective "p" ; (IPA: p')

q

not found in English ; (IPA: q)

qh

like "q", followed by a puff of air ; (IPA: qʰ)

q'

ejective "q" ; (IPA: q')

s

like "s" as in "sat" ; (IPA: s)

sh

like "sh" as in "share" ; (IPA: ʃ)

t

like "t" as in "tear" ; (IPA: t)

th

like "t" as in "tear", followed by a puff of air ; (IPA: tʰ)

t'

ejective "t" ; (IPA: t')

y

like "y" as in "yes" ; (IPA: j)

w

like "w" as in "we" ; (IPA: w)

Phrase list

Some phrases in this phrasebook still need to be translated. If you know anything about this language, you can help by plunging forward and translating a phrase.

Basics

Most of these are the Cusco dialect

Common signs OPEN Kichasqa CLOSED Wisq'asqa ENTRANCE Yaykuna EXIT Lluqsina PUSH Tanqay PULL Chutay TOILET Sanitariu niska wasikuna MEN Qharikuna WOMEN Warmikuna FORBIDDEN Amachasqa

Hello.

Rimaykullayki.:Napaykullayki.

Hello. (informal)

. ( )

How are you?

Allillanchu toray? (Formal) Imaynallan kakusanki? Imaynallam kaskanki? (informal) Imaynallataq kausakusanki? (formal)

Fine, thank you.

Allillanmi kashani. ( )

What is your name?

Imam sutiyki? (Cusco-Collao) Imataq sutiyki?

Imashutitac canqui? ("EE-mah-shoo-TEE-tahk CAHNG-ee." = Ecuadorian Kichwa)

My name is ______ .

Nuqaq sutiy ______ .:______ sutiymi.

______-qa sutiymi.

Nice to meet you.

Anchatam kusikusani riqsisuspayki.

Please.

Allichu.:Ama hina qaychu.

Thank you.

Solpayki. (formal) Urpichay sonqoy. (formal)

Añay. (informal):Yusulpayki. (informal)

You're welcome.

Hinallatapas. Ama llakikuychu.

Yes.

Arí

No.

Manam.

Excuse me. (getting attention)

( ).

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

Pampachariway.

Sorry.

Pampachaykuway.

Goodbye

Tupananchikkama. (lit. "until we meet again") Rikunakunakama. (lit. "until we meet again") Cayacaman. (lit. "until later"). Tinkunanchikkama. (lit. "I'll see you later, farewell")

I can't speak Quechua [well].

Mana quichuatachu rimani. ("MAH-na kee-chwah-TAH-choo par-LAH-nee" in Ecuadorian Kichwa)
Manam [allinta] runasimitachu rimani.

Do you speak English?

Inglés-simita rimankichu?

Is there someone here who speaks English?

Kaypichu huk inglés simi rimaq kan?

Help!

Yanapaway! Yanapaykuway!

Look out!

Paqtataq! (roughly Cuidado!)

Good morning.

Allin punchay.

Good day.

Allin punchaw.

Good afternoon

allin jatun punchay

Good evening / Good night.

Allin chisi tuta.

Good night (to sleep)

Allin tuta.

I understand.

Yuyachasani.

I don't understand

Mana umay yuyachanchu.

Where is the toilet?

Maypi hishpana wasi? Maypi akana wasi?

Problems

Leave me alone.

Sapallaña kaq munasani! (lit. "I want to be alone")

Don't touch me!

Ama apihuaychu  ! ( !)

Call the police.

Wardiyata waqyay!

Police!

 ! ( !)

Stop! Thief!

 ! sua ! ( ! !)

I need your help.

yanapaway nokjata . ( .)

It's an emergency.

. ( .)

I'm lost.

chincasca kashani . ( .)

I lost my bag.

. ( .)

I lost my wallet.

. ( .)

I'm sick.

Unqusqa kashani. ( .)

I've been injured.

. ( .)

I need a doctor.

Hampiqta necesitakunim. ( .)

Can I use your phone?

 ? ( ?)

Numbers

• in Ecuadorian Quichua, followed by Cusco-Collao

1

shuc
huk

2

ishcai
iskay

3

quimsa
kinsa

4

chuscu
tawa

5

pichca
pisqa

6

sucta
suqta

7

canchis
qanchis

8

pusac
pusaq

9

iscun
hisqun

10

chunca
chunka

11

chunca shuc
chunka hukniyuq

12

chunca ishcai
chunka iskayniyuq

13

chunca quimsa
chunka kinsayuq

14

chunca chuscu
chunka tawayuq

15

chunca pichca
chunka pisqayuq

16

chunca sucta
chunka suqtayuq

17

chunca canchis
chunka qanchisniyuq

18

chunca pusac
chunka pusaqniyuq

19

ishcai iscun
chunka hisqunniyuq

20

ishcai chunca
iskay chunka

21

ishcai chunca shuc
iskay chunka hukniyuq

22

ishcai chunca ishcai
iskay chunka iskayniyuq

23

ishcai chunca quimsa
iskay chunka kinsayuq

30

quimsa chunca
kinsa chunka

40

chuscu chunca
tawa chunka

50

pichca chunca
pisqa chunka

60

sucta chunca
suqta chunka

70

canchis chunca
qanchis chunka

80

pusac chunca
pusaq chunka

90

iscun chunca
hisqun chunka

100

pachac
pacha

200

ishcai pachac
iskay pacha

300

quimsa pachac
kinsa pacha

1,000

huaranca
waranqa

2,000

ishcai huaranca
iskay waranqa

1,000,000

( )

1,000,000,000

( )

1,000,000,000,000

( )

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

( )

half

chaupi ( )

less

pisiwan ( )

more

astawan

Time

now

kunan, kunallan, kunitan ( )

later

caya

before

ñaupaq ( )

morning

tutamastin

afternoon

chisinkuy ( )

evening

ch'isi pacha ( )

night

tuta

Clock time

one o'clock AM

huk uras/pacha

two o'clock AM

iskay uras/pacha

noon

chunka iskayniyuq uras/pacha

one o'clock PM

huk uras/pacha

two o'clock PM

iskay uras/pacha

midnight

chaupi tuta

Duration

_____ minute(s)

phasmi(kuna)

_____ hour(s)

uras

_____ day(s)

p'unchaw(kuna)

_____ week(s)

simana(kuna)

_____ month(s)

killa(kuna)

_____ year(s)

wata(kuna)

Days

today

cai puncha (lit. "this day")
kunan

yesterday

qayna p'unchaw

tomorrow

paqarin

this week

kay simana

last week

qayna simana

next week

q'aya simana

Sunday

domingo p'unchaw

Monday

lunes p'unchaw

Tuesday

martes p'unchaw

Wednesday

miércoles p'unchaw

Thursday

jueves p'unchaw

Friday

viernes p'unchaw

Saturday

sábado p'unchaw

Months

January

Qhaqmiy killa / Iniru

February

Jatunpuquy killa / Phiwriru

March

Pacha puquy killa / Marsu

April

Ariwaki killa / Awril

May

Aymuray killa / Mayukilla

June

Inti raymi killa / Jawkaykuskiy killa / Hunyu

July

Anta situwa killa / Chakrakunakuy killa / Hulyu

August

Qhapaq situwa killa / Chawawarki killa / Chakrayapuy killa / Awustu

September

Unu raymi killa / Tarpuy killa / Sitimri

October

Qoya raymi killa / Pawqar waray killa / Uktuwri

November

Ayamarq'ay killa / Nuwimri

December

Qhapaq inti raymi killa / Disimri

Colors

black

yana

white

yuraq

gray

uqi

red

puka

blue

anqas

yellow

q'illu

green

q'umir

orange

q'illu-puka

purple

kulli

brown

ch'umpi

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?

Hayqataq huk bulitu niska ...paq?

One ticket to _____, please.

Ama hina qaychu, huk bulitu ...paq.

Where does this train/bus go?

Maytataq rin qay lata suythu mula?

Where is the train/bus to _____?

Maytaq lata suythu mula...paq?

Does this train/bus stop in _____?

Qay lata suythu mula sayanchu ...chay (sullqa) llaqtapi?

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

Hayq'aqtaq lluqsinqa lata suythu mula...chay (sullqa) llatapaq?

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

Hayq'api chayanqa qay lata suythu mula ...chay (sullqa) llaqtata?

Directions

How do I get to _____

Imaynataq chayasaq ... :

...the train station?

...lata suythu mula wasita?

...the bus station?

...lata mula wasita?

...the airport?

...lata pajaru wasita?

...downtown?

...chawpi llaqtata?

...the youth hostel?

...warma puñuna wasita?

...the _____ hotel?

...puñuna wasi?

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

...yuyaychiquk misti Amerikanu/Canadianu/Australianu/Britanicu wasita?

Where are there a lot of...

Maypitaq kan achka... :

...hotels?

...puñuna wasiquna?

...restaurants?

...mikhuna wasi/wasiquna? (lit. "food house(s)" -- "mikhuna" = "food" & "wasi" = "house")

...bars?

...aqha upyana wasi/wasiquna?

...sites to see?

...munay rikhunaquna?

Can you show me on the map?

Rikuchiwanqimanchu mapa nisqapi?

street

k'iqllu

Turn left.

Lloqueman kutiriy

Turn right.

pañaman kutiriy

left

lloque

right

paña

straight ahead

Chiqan ñawpaqman

towards the _____

paypaq chay...

past the _____

pasasqa chay...

before the _____

ñawpaq chay...

Watch for the _____.

Qhaway chay ...

intersection

Chimpapuray

north

Chincha

south

Qulla

east

Anti

west

Kunti

uphill

Wichayman

downhill

Urayman

Taxi

Taxi!

sullqa mula.

Take me to _____, please.

Ama jinallachu qay, pusawaychik ...ta.

How much does it cost to get to _____?

Hayq'aq chaninqan chayanaypaq ...paq?

Take me there, please.

Ama jinallachu qay, pusawaychik chayman.

Lodging

• You are unlikely to find a hotel anywhere in the Andes run by monolingual Quechua/Quicha speakers. Spanish will most likely suffice in such situations.

Do you have any rooms available?

Qanchu maypipas hapinapaq puñuna wasi?

How much is a room for one person/two people?

Hayqataq uq/iskay runapaq?

Does the room come with...

Hamunchu :

...bedsheets?

sawnayuq?

...a bathroom?

hispana wasiyuq?

...a telephone?

karu rimanayuq / tilifunuyuq?

...a TV?

karu qhawanayuq?

May I see the room first?

Atiymanchu ñawpaq riquyta?

Do you have anything quieter?

Qanchu aswan ch'inlla?

...bigger?

aswan jatun?

...cleaner?

aswan pichasqa?

...cheaper?

aswan pisi chaniyuq?

OK, I'll take it.

Allin, qayta japisaq.

I will stay for _____ night(s).

Qaypi qasaq ...tuta(kuna)

Can you suggest another hotel?

Huk hutelta yuyaychawanquimanchu?

Do you have a safe?

Qanchu huk harkasqa?

...lockers?

...armariukuna?

Is breakfast/supper included?

Tutamanta/punchay miqhuna chaypi kachkanchu?

What time is breakfast/supper?

Tutamanta/punchay miqhunata hayqaqtaq aypunqaqu?

Please clean my room.

Ama jinallachu qay, jallchay nuqhaq puñuy wasita?

Can you wake me at _____?

Willayquwanqimanchu ...?

I want to check out.

Riquyta jawata munanim.

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

uyaqunquichu misti Americanu qullquikunata?

Do you accept British pounds?

uyaqunquichu Britanicu librakunata?

Do you accept euros?

uyaqunquichu Eurukunata?

Do you accept credit cards?

uyaqunquichu tarjita qullquikunata?

Can you change money for me?

Atichipuay tikrachimuayta nuq'apaq qullquita?

Where can I get money changed?

Maypitaq atiyman tariyta qullqui tikrachipuaqta?

Can you change a traveler's check for me?

Atinquichu tikrachipuyta huk bulitu thasquinapak nuqhapak?

Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

Maypitaq atiyman tariyta huk bulitu thasquinapak tikrachipuananpak?

What is the exchange rate?

May chay tikrachipuy chanin?

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

Maypi qan huk cajiru autumaticu niska?

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.

Ama hina qaychu, huk hanparata ukpaq/isqaypaq.

Can I look at the menu, please?

Ama hina qaychu, rikuchihuay imas qan mikhunapaq?

Can I look in the kitchen?

Atiymanchu rikuyta mikhuna wasipi?

Is there a house specialty?

Qanchu aswan allin mikhuna wasichayquimanta?

Is there a local specialty?

Qanchu Aswan allin mikhuna suyuchayquimanta/llaqtachayquimanta?

I'm a vegetarian.

Mana aychatachu mikhunim.

I don't eat pork.

Mana khuchi aychatachu mikhunim.

I don't eat beef.

Mana waka aychatachu mikhunim.

I only eat kosher food.

kushir mikhunallata mikhunim.

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)

Ama hina qaychu, wayq'uquy manam wirayuqta? (pisi unthuwan/wirawan/unthuchisqawan)

fixed-price meal

( )

a la carte

( )

breakfast

Tutamanta mikhuna

lunch

paraqin mikhuy / payquy

tea (meal)

( )

supper

Punchay mikhuna

I want _____.

____-ta munanim.

I want a dish containing _____.

...yukta mikhunata munanim.

chicken

wallpa aycha, gallina

beef

waka aycha, carne

fish

challwa

ham

khuchi aycha, jamón

sausage

chicharrón

cheese

kisu

eggs

runtu

salad

( )

(fresh) vegetables

asnapa

(fresh) fruit

ruru / wayu / phruta

bread

t'anta

toast

( )

noodles

( )

rice

arrus

beans

hawas, arwihas

May I have a glass of _____?

May I have a cup of _____?

( )

May I have a bottle of _____?

( )

coffee

café

tea (drink)

maté

juice

( )

(bubbly) water

( )

(still) water

yaku, unu (Cusco)

beer

yaku uq'ana

red/white wine

( )

May I have some _____?

Qapuwanmanchu ima/huk...?

salt

k'achi

black pepper

( )

butter

wira

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

Pampachaway, hampara aypuk.

I'm finished.

Tuquniña.

It was delicious.

Aswan allin sumaqmi! (lit. "Wonderful/Fantastic/Great/Beautiful!")

Please clear the plates.

Ama hina qaychu, maqchiy chuayta.

The check, please.

Ama hina qaychu, hayq'a chanin.

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?

yaku ukiana aypuna qanchu?

Is there table service?

Qanchu hanpara aypuna?

A beer/two beers, please.

Ama hina qaychu, huk/isqay yaku ukiana(kuna).

A glass of red/white wine, please.

( )

A pint, please.

( )

A bottle, please.

( )

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

( )

whiskey

( )

vodka

( )

rum

( )

water

unu, yaku

club soda

( )

tonic water

( )

orange juice

( )

Coke (soda)

gaseosa

Do you have any bar snacks?

( )

One more, please.

Ama hina qaychu, huktawan.

Another round, please.

Ama hina qaychu, huk muyutawan.

When is closing time?

Ima hayka pachata wiskanqi.

Cheers!

( )

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?

Qanchu qay nuqhahinapaq?

How much is this?

qay hayk'am?

That's too expensive.

Qaypis ashqa.

Would you take _____?

...apariwanquimanchu?

expensive

Ashqa.

cheap

Pisi.

I can't afford it.

Qayta mana uyaqunichu.

I don't want it.

Qayta mana munamnichu.

You're cheating me.

Qan yukachasiwanqui.

I'm not interested.

Mana.

OK, I'll take it.

Allin, qayta apakusaqmin.

Can I have a bag?

Qanmanschu huk wayaqa?

Do you ship (overseas)?

( )

I need...

____-ta necesitanim

...toothpaste.

( )

...a toothbrush.

( )

...tampons.

. ( )

...soap.

( )

...shampoo.

( )

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

( )

...cold medicine.

( )

...stomach medicine.

... ( )

...a razor.

( )

...an umbrella.

( )

...sunblock lotion.

bloqueador

...a postcard.

( )

...postage stamps.

( )

...batteries.

( )

...writing paper.

( )

...a pen.

qillqana

...English-language books.

( )

...English-language magazines.

( )

...an English-language newspaper.

( )

...an English-English dictionary.

( )

Driving

I want to rent a car.

Huk lata mulata mañaquyta munanim.

Can I get insurance?

( )

stop (on a street sign)

sayay

one way

ukllapaq ñam.

yield

( )

no parking

Ama sayana.

speed limit

phaway amachaq.

gas (petrol) station

Lata mulapak mikhuna wasin.

petrol

Lata mulapak mikhunan.

diesel

( )

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.

( )

It was a misunderstanding.

( )

Where are you taking me?

( )

Am I under arrest?

( )

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

( )

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

( )

I want to talk to a lawyer.

( )

Can I just pay a fine now?

( )