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 kichaska CLOSED wiskjaska ENTRANCE waykuna EXIT lloksina PUSH wikchuna,thankjana. PULL chutana TOILET hisphana wasi MEN qhari. WOMEN warmi. FORBIDDEN ama ruana

Hello.

Rimaykullayki.:Napaykullayki.

Hello. (informal)

. ( )

How are you?

Allillanchu? Imaynam kasanki? Imaynallam kaskanki? (informal) Imaynallataq kasanki? (formal) Imanallatac canqui? ("EE-mah-nah-YA-tahk CAHNG-ee." "g" = Ecuadorian Kichwa)

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 kaychu.

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 parlani. ("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?

Help!

Yanapaway! Yanapaykuway!

Look out!

Paqtataq! (roughly Cuidado!)

Good morning.

Winas diyas. Allin p'unchay.

Good day.

Allin punchaw. Winchis.

Good afternoon.

Winas tardis.

Good evening / Good night.

Allin chisi. Winas nuchis. Nasnuchis.

Good night (to sleep)

Allin tuta.

I understand.

Hapisani. Intindini.

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! (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

( )

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

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

( )

February

( )

March

( )

April

( )

May

( )

June

( )

July

( )

August

( )

September

( )

October

( )

November

( )

December

( )

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.

Lloqueman kutiriy ( )

Turn right.

pañaman kutiriy ( )

left

lloque ( )

right

paña ( )

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?

( )