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Quechua - The Language of the Andes Useful Phrases Traditional Dress on a Cusco Street (click to enlarge) Quechua (or Runasimi as it is known to Quechua speakers) is an old language, originating in the Andes. It was the official language of the Incas’ empire, Tawantinsuyu, although around 700 different languages were spoken within the lands controlled by the Incas. Quechua continued to spread after the Spanish conquest and was used by the Catholic church to convert the indigenous people. It is an official language of Peru, and is the dominant language in the countryside and villages of Southern Peru, although it is spoken in parts of Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. There are about 10 million Quechua speakers, three quarters of whom also speak Spanish. There are different dialects in different parts of the Andes, but Cusco Quechua is generally viewed as the most pure form. Aymara is another indigenous language common near Lake Titicaca, and is a different language, although it shares much of it’s vocabulary with Quechua. Quechua was outlawed after the rebellion of Tupac Amaru II, and for a long time was viewed as inferior by the political leaders of Peru, however now it is recognised as an official language and it is appreciated as a cultural link to the past, particularly in the area around Cusco. There are several different systems to spell Quechua words, as it was not originally a written language. There are few resources for English speakers to learn the language, as most are aimed at Spanish speakers. Pronunciation and grammar is similar to English, probably more so than Spanish. However: “a” is pronounced more like the “u” in “cup”. “aw” and “au” are pronounced like “ow” in “cow” “ay” is like “ie” in “pie” “ey” is like “ay” in “lay” “iy” is like “ea” in “pea” “uy” is like “we” General: Hello – Napaykuykin How are you? – Allillanchu? See you later – Ratukama Goodbye – Allinllaña Please – Ama hina kaychu Thank you – Yuspagarasunki I’m fine, thank you sir – Allillanmi Wiraqucha Where are you from? – Maymantatah kankiri? Yes – ari No – manna Good! – Kusa! What is your name? – Iman sutiyki? My name is <> - <>mi sutiy I am from … - … manta kani. England – Inglaterra America – Estados Unidos Australia – Australia How much does it cost? – Imaynan? Reduce the price - Chanintaya pisiyachiway Travel: Does this road go to Cusco? – Qusqumanchu kay ñan rin? Does this bus go to Cusco? – Qusqumanchu kay karro rin? Please stop here – Allichu, kaypi sayay Eating: I am hungry – Yarqawashan I am thirsty – Ch’akiwashan What is there to eat? – Imataq mihunapaq kan? Please bring me more beer – Allichu astawan sirwisaykita apamuway Thanks, that was a good meal – Yuspagarasunki, sumaq mihuna Accommodation I am tired – Sayk’usqa kani Is there a toilet? – Kanchu bañu? Is there hot water? – Kanchu q’oñi unu Can I leave my bag here? – Paqta q’epiyta saqeykiman kaypi? Back to Top \| Home Page \| Spanish Phrases \| Culture Page

Everything you ever wanted to know about Peru, in one place

Quechua - The Language of the Andes

Useful Phrases

Traditional Dress on a Cusco Street
(click to enlarge)

Quechua (or Runasimi as it is known to Quechua speakers) is an old language, originating in the Andes. It was the official language of the Incas’ empire, Tawantinsuyu, although around 700 different languages were spoken within the lands controlled by the Incas.

Quechua continued to spread after the Spanish conquest and was used by the Catholic church to convert the indigenous people. It is an official language of Peru, and is the dominant language in the countryside and villages of Southern Peru, although it is spoken in parts of Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina.

There are about 10 million Quechua speakers, three quarters of whom also speak Spanish. There are different dialects in different parts of the Andes, but Cusco Quechua is generally viewed as the most pure form. Aymara is another indigenous language common near Lake Titicaca, and is a different language, although it shares much of it’s vocabulary with Quechua.

Quechua was outlawed after the rebellion of Tupac Amaru II, and for a long time was viewed as inferior by the political leaders of Peru, however now it is recognised as an official language and it is appreciated as a cultural link to the past, particularly in the area around Cusco.

There are several different systems to spell Quechua words, as it was not originally a written language. There are few resources for English speakers to learn the language, as most are aimed at Spanish speakers.

Pronunciation and grammar is similar to English, probably more so than Spanish.

However:
“a” is pronounced more like the “u” in “cup”.
“aw” and “au” are pronounced like “ow” in “cow”
“ay” is like “ie” in “pie”
“ey” is like “ay” in “lay”
“iy” is like “ea” in “pea”
“uy” is like “we”

General:

Hello – Napaykuykin
How are you? – Allillanchu?
See you later – Ratukama
Goodbye – Allinllaña

Please – Ama hina kaychu
Thank you – Yuspagarasunki
I’m fine, thank you sir – Allillanmi Wiraqucha
Where are you from? – Maymantatah kankiri?

Yes – ari
No – manna
Good! – Kusa!
What is your name? – Iman sutiyki?
My name is <> - <>mi sutiy

I am from … - … manta kani.
England – Inglaterra
America – Estados Unidos
Australia – Australia

How much does it cost? – Imaynan?
Reduce the price - Chanintaya pisiyachiway

Travel:

Does this road go to Cusco? – Qusqumanchu kay ñan rin?
Does this bus go to Cusco? – Qusqumanchu kay karro rin?
Please stop here – Allichu, kaypi sayay

Eating:

I am hungry – Yarqawashan
I am thirsty – Ch’akiwashan
What is there to eat? – Imataq mihunapaq kan?
Please bring me more beer – Allichu astawan sirwisaykita apamuway
Thanks, that was a good meal – Yuspagarasunki, sumaq mihuna

Accommodation

I am tired – Sayk’usqa kani
Is there a toilet? – Kanchu bañu?
Is there hot water? – Kanchu q’oñi unu
Can I leave my bag here? – Paqta q’epiyta saqeykiman kaypi?