Quechua phrasebook - Quechua phrasebook

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 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 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 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: ()
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: 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 rami 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 _____?: ()
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?: karu rimana/ tiliwunu
...a TV?: karu qawana
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: paraqin mikhuy / payquy
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: 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: 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?: ()

Learning more

This Quechua phrasebook is an outline and needs more content. It has a template , but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow !