language family spoken primarily in the Andes region of South America
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Phrasebooks > Quechua phrasebook

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

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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

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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

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ch
like "ch" as in "chat" ; (IPA: )
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: )
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: )
p'
ejective "p" ; (IPA: p')
q
not found in English ; (IPA: q)
qh
like "q", followed by a puff of air ; (IPA: )
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: )
t'
ejective "t" ; (IPA: t')
y
like "y" as in "yes" ; (IPA: j)
w
like "w" as in "we" ; (IPA: w)

Phrase list

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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

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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

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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

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  • 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

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now
kunan, kunallan, kunitan ( )
later
caya
before
ñaupaq ( )
morning
tutamastin
afternoon
chisinkuy ( )
evening
ch'isi pacha ( )
night
tuta

Clock time

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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

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_____ 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

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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

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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

Writing time and date

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Colors

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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

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Bus and train

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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

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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

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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

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  • 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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?
( )

Learning more

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This Quechua phrasebook is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!