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.

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

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

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 _____?: 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?: ( )

Learning more

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