Quechua 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. 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)

h

like "h" as in "hat" ; (IPA: h)

k

like "k" as in "king" ; (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)

q

not found in English ; (IPA: q)

s

like "s" as in "sat" (IPA: s)

t

like "t" as in "tear" (IPA: t)

y

like "y" as in "yes" (IPA: j)

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

Common signs OPEN CLOSED ENTRANCE EXIT PUSH PULL TOILET WASI MEN WOMEN 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)

Fine, thank you.

. ( )

What is your name?

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

My name is ______ .

______ . ( _____ .)

Nice to meet you.

. ( )

Please.

Allichu

Thank you.

Solpayki / Urpichay sonqoy

Thanks ("informal").

Yusulpayki

You're welcome.

.Hinallatapas ( )

Yes.

. Ari ("AH-ree")

No.

. Mana ("MAH-nah")

Excuse me. (getting attention)

. ( )

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

. ( )

Sorry.

Pampachaykuway

Goodbye

Cayacaman (lit. "until later")

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)

Do you speak English?

? ("English" = "inlisu," pronounced "een-LEE-soo" / "inlis," pronounced "EEN-lees" / "gringu simi," pronounced "GREEN-goo SEE-mee")

Is there someone here who speaks English?

? ( ?)

Help!

Yanapaway!

Look out!

! ( !)

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.

. ( .)

Don't touch me!

! ( !)

I'll call the police.

. ( .)

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.

. ( .)

I've been injured.

. ( .)

I need a doctor.

. ( .)

Can I use your phone?

? ( ?)

Numbers

• in Ecuadorian Quichua

1

(shuc)

2

(ishcai)

3

(quimsa)

4

(chuscu)

5

(pichca)

6

(sucta)

7

(canchis)

8

(pusac)

9

(iscun)

10

(chunca)

11

(chunca shuc)

12

(chunca ishcai)

13

(chunca quimsa)

14

(chunca chuscu)

15

(chunca pichca)

16

(chunca sucta)

17

(chunca canchis)

18

(chunca pusac)

19

('ishcai iscun)

20

(ishcai chunca)

21

(ishcai chunca shuc)

22

(ishcai chunca ishcai )

23

(ishcai chunca quimsa)

30

(quimsa chunca)

40

(chuscu chunca)

50

(pichca chunca)

60

(sucta chunca)

70

(canchis chunca)

80

(pusac chunca)

90

(iscun chunca)

100

(pachac)

200

(ishcai pachac)

300

(quimsa pachac)

1,000

(huaranca)

2,000

(ishcai huaranca)

1,000,000

( )

1,000,000,000

( )

1,000,000,000,000

( )

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

( )

half

( )

less

( )

more

( )

Time

now

( )

later

caya

before

( )

morning

tutamanta

afternoon

( )

evening

( )

night

tuta

Clock time

one o'clock AM

( )

two o'clock AM

( )

noon

( )

one o'clock PM

( )

two o'clock PM

( )

midnight

( )

Duration

_____ minute(s)

( )

_____ hour(s)

( )

_____ day(s)

puncha(cuna)

_____ week(s)

( )

_____ month(s)

( )

_____ year(s)

( )

Days

today

cai puncha (lit. "this day")

yesterday

( )

tomorrow

( )

this week

( )

last week

( )

next week

( )

Sunday

( )

Monday

( )

Tuesday

( )

Wednesday

( )

Thursday

( )

Friday

( )

Saturday

( )

Months

January

( )

February

( )

March

( )

April

( )

May

( )

June

( )

July

( )

August

( )

September

( )

October

( )

November

( )

December

( )

Colors

black

yana

white

yurac

gray

( )

red

puca

blue

( )

yellow

( )

green

( )

orange

( )

purple

( )

brown

( )

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?

micunahuasi(cuna) (lit. "food house(s)" -- "micuna" = "food" & "huasi" = "house")

...bars?

( )

...sites to see?

( )

Can you show me on the map?

( )

street

( )

Turn left.

( )

Turn right.

( )

left

( )

right

( )

straight ahead

( )

towards the _____

( )

past the _____

( )

before the _____

( )

Watch for the _____.

( )

intersection

( )

north

( )

south

( )

east

( )

west

( )

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?

( )

...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.

( )

I don't eat pork.

( )

I don't eat beef.

( )

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 _____.

( )

I want a dish containing _____.

( )

chicken

( )

beef

( )

fish

( )

ham

( )

sausage

( )

cheese

( )

eggs

( )

salad

( )

(fresh) vegetables

( )

(fresh) fruit

( )

bread

tanta

toast

( )

noodles

( )

rice

( )

beans

( )

May I have a glass of _____?

( )

May I have a cup of _____?

( )

May I have a bottle of _____?

( )

coffee

( )

tea (drink)

( )

juice

( )

(bubbly) water

( )

(still) water

yacu

beer

cirwisa

red/white wine

( )

May I have some _____?

( )

salt

( )

black pepper

( )

butter

( )

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

( )

I'm finished.

( )

It was delicious.

Sumacmi! (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

( )

club soda

( )

tonic water

( )

orange juice

( )

Coke (soda)

( )

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?

( )

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.

( )

Can I have a bag?

( )

Do you ship (overseas)?

( )

I need...

( )

...toothpaste.

( )

...a toothbrush.

( )

...tampons.

. ( )

...soap.

( )

...shampoo.

( )

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

( )

...cold medicine.

( )

...stomach medicine.

... ( )

...a razor.

( )

...an umbrella.

( )

...sunblock lotion.

( )

...a postcard.

( )

...postage stamps.

( )

...batteries.

( )

...writing paper.

( )

...a pen.

( )

...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?

( )