Quechua phrasebook

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.

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.

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  CLOSED  ENTRANCE  EXIT  PUSH  PULL  TOILET  HISPANA WASI, BAÑO MEN  QHARI, VARONES WOMEN  WARMI, MUJERES FORBIDDEN

Hello. 

. "Rimaykullayki / Napaykullayki" (Both Cusco dialect; any one is fine)

Hello. (informal) 

. ( )

How are you? 

Imanallatac canqui? ("EE-mah-nah-YA-tahk CAHNG-ee." "g" = Ecuadorian Quichua)
Allillanchu? Imaynallam kashanki? (Cusco-Collao)

Fine, thank you. 

Allillanmi kashani. ( )

What is your name? 

Imashutitac canqui? ("EE-mah-shoo-TEE-tahk CAHNG-ee." = Ecuadorian Quichua)
Imam sutiyki? (Cusco-Collao)

My name is ______ . 

Nuqaq sutiy ______ . ( _____ .)

Nice to meet you. 

. ( )

Please. 

"Ama hina kaychu"

Thank you. 

"Sullpayki / Urpichay sunquy"

Thanks ("informal"). 

"Añay", "Yusulpayki"

You're welcome. 

."Hinallatapas", "Ama llakikuychu" ( )

Yes. 

. Arí ("ah-REE")

No. 

. Manam ("MAH-nahm")

Excuse me. (getting attention) 

. ( )

Excuse me. (begging pardon) 

Pampachariway. ( )

Sorry. 

"Pampachaykuway"

Goodbye 

Cayacaman (lit. "until later")
Tupananchiskama, Tinkunakama, Tupakusunña

Goodbye (informal) 

. ( )

I can't speak name of language [well]. 

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

Do you speak English? 

Inglés simita rimankichu?

Is there someone here who speaks English? 

Kaypichu huk inglés simi rimaq?

Help! 

"Yanapaway!"

Look out! 

Paqtataq! (roughly Cuidado!)

Good morning. 

"Wuynus diyas / Allin p'unchay" (Good day)

Good Afternoon. 

"Wuynas tardis"

Good evening. 

"Wuynas nuchis"

Good night. 

Good night (to sleep) 

"Allin tuta:

I don't understand. 

. "Mana hapisanichu / Mana intindinichu"

Where is the toilet? 

"¿Maypi bañu? ¿Maypi hispana wasi? ¿Maypi aqa wasi?"

Problems

Leave me alone. 

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

Don't touch me! 

! ( !)

Call the police. 

. ( ¡Wardiyata waqyay! )

Police! 

! ( !)

Stop! Thief! 

! ! ( ! !)

I need your help. 

. ( .)

It's an emergency. 

. ( .)

I'm lost. 

. ( .)

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 

( )

less 

( )

more 

astawan

Time

now 

kunan, kunallan, kunitan ( )

later 

caya

before 

( )

morning 

tutamastin

afternoon 

( )

evening 

( )

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 

( )

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 

( )

February 

( )

March 

( )

April 

( )

May 

( )

June 

( )

July 

( )

August 

( )

September 

( )

October 

( )

November 

( )

December 

( )

Writing time and date

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 _____? 

( )

One ticket to _____, please. 

( )

Where does this train/bus go? 

( )

Where is the train/bus to _____? 

( )

Does this train/bus stop in _____? 

( )

When does the train/bus for _____ leave? 

( )

When will this train/bus arrive in _____? 

( )

Directions

How do I get to _____ ? 

( )

...the train station? 

( )

...the bus station? 

( )

...the airport? 

( )

...downtown? 

( )

...the youth hostel? 

( )

...the _____ hotel? 

( )

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

( )

Where are there a lot of... 

( )

...hotels? 

( )

...restaurants? 

mikhuna wasi(cuna) (lit. "food house(s)" -- "mikhuna" = "food" & "wasi" = "house")

...bars? 

aqha wasi(kuna)

...sites to see? 

( )

Can you show me on the map? 

( )

street 

k'iqllu

Turn left. 

( )

Turn right. 

( )

left 

( )

right 

( )

straight ahead 

( )

towards the _____ 

( )

past the _____ 

( )

before the _____ 

( )

Watch for the _____. 

( )

intersection 

( )

north 

chincha

south 

qulla

east 

anti

west 

kunti

uphill 

( )

downhill 

( )

Taxi

Taxi! 

( )

Take me to _____, please. 

( )

How much does it cost to get to _____? 

( )

Take me there, please. 

( )

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? 

( )

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

( )

Does the room come with... 

( )

...bedsheets? 

( )

...a bathroom? 

hispana wasi

...a telephone? 

( )

...a TV? 

( )

May I see the room first? 

( )

Do you have anything quieter? 

( )

...bigger? 

( )

...cleaner? 

( )

...cheaper? 

( )

OK, I'll take it. 

( )

I will stay for _____ night(s). 

( )

Can you suggest another hotel? 

( )

Do you have a safe? 

( )

...lockers? 

( )

Is breakfast/supper included? 

( )

What time is breakfast/supper? 

( )

Please clean my room. 

( )

Can you wake me at _____? 

( )

I want to check out. 

( )

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? 

( )

Do you accept British pounds? 

( )

Do you accept Euros? 

( )

Do you accept credit cards? 

( )

Can you change money for me? 

( )

Where can I get money changed? 

( )

Can you change a traveler's check for me? 

( )

Where can I get a traveler's check changed? 

( )

What is the exchange rate? 

( )

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? 

( )

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please. 

( )

Can I look at the menu, please? 

( )

Can I look in the kitchen? 

( )

Is there a house specialty? 

( )

Is there a local specialty? 

( )

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. 

( )

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

( )

fixed-price meal 

( )

a la carte 

( )

breakfast 

( )

lunch 

( )

tea (meal) 

( )

supper 

( )

I want _____. 

____-ta munanim.

I want a dish containing _____. 

( )

chicken 

wallpa aycha, gallina

beef 

waka aycha, carne

fish 

challwa

ham 

khuchi aycha, jamón

sausage 

chicharrón

cheese 

kisu

eggs 

runtu

salad 

( )

(fresh) vegetables 

( )

(fresh) fruit 

( )

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 

cirwisa

red/white wine 

( )

May I have some _____? 

( )

salt 

k'achi

black pepper 

( )

butter 

wira

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

( )

I'm finished. 

( )

It was delicious. 

Sumaqmi! (lit. "Wonderful/Fantastic/Great/Beautiful!")

Please clear the plates. 

( )

The check, please. 

( )

Bars

Do you serve alcohol? 

( )

Is there table service? 

( )

A beer/two beers, please. 

( )

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. 

( )

Another round, please. 

( )

When is closing time? 

( )

Cheers! 

( )

Shopping

Do you have this in my size? 

( )

How much is this? 

hayk'am

That's too expensive. 

( )

Would you take _____? 

( )

expensive 

( )

cheap 

( )

I can't afford it. 

( )

I don't want it. 

( )

You're cheating me. 

( )

I'm not interested. 

(..)

OK, I'll take it. 

Apakusaqmi

Can I have a bag? 

( )

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. 

( )

Can I get insurance? 

( )

stop (on a street sign) 

( )

one way 

( )

yield 

( )

no parking 

( )

speed limit 

( )

gas (petrol) station 

( )

petrol 

( )

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? 

( )

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