Quechua phrasebook Voyage Tips and guide

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 turay? (Formal) Imaynallan kakusanki? Imaynallam kachkanki? (informal) Imaynallataq kausakuchkanki? (formal)
Fine, thank you.: Allillanmi kausani. ( )
What is your name?: Imam sutiyki? (Cusco-Collao) Imataq sutiyki?; Ima sutitaq canqui?
My name is ______ .: Nuqaq sutiy ______ .:______ sutiymi.; ______-qa sutiymi.
Nice to meet you.: Anchatam kusikuchkani riqsikuchpayki.
Please.: Allichu.:Ama hina qaychu.
Thank you.: Sulpayki. (formal) Urpichay sunquy. (formal) Uchpanrachun.; 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: Tupananchiskama. (lit. "until we meet again") Rikunankunchiskama. (lit. "until we meet again") Cayacaman. (lit. "until later"). Tinkunankunchiskama. (lit. "I'll see you later, farewell")
I can't speak Quechua [well].: Mana quichwatachu rimani. ("MAH-na kee-chwah-TAH-choo par-LAH-nee" in Ecuadorian Kichwa)
Manam [allinta] runasimitachu rimani.
Do you speak English?: Inlis-simita rimankichu?
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Kaypichu huk inlis simi rimaq kan?
Help!: Yanapaway! Yanapaykuway!
Look out!: Paqtataq! (roughly Cuidado!)
Good morning.: Allin p'unchay.
Good day.: Allin p'unchaw.
Good afternoon: allin jatun p'unchay
Good evening / Good night.: Allin ch'isi tuta.
Good night (to sleep): Allin tuta.
I understand.: Umachani.
I don't understand: Mana umachanichu.
Where is the toilet?: Maypi hishp'ana wasi qan? Maypi akana wasi qan?

Problems

Leave me alone.: Sapallay kayta munani! (lit. "I want to be alone")
Don't touch me!: Ama jap'ihuaychu ! ( !)
Call the police.: Wardiata waj'ay!
Police!: ! ( !)
Stop! Thief!: ! sua ! ( ! !)
I need your help.: yanapaway nujata . ( .)
It's an emergency.: . ( .)
I'm lost.: chincasca kachcani . ( .)
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

1: shuc
huk
2: ichcai
iskay
3: quinsa
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: ichcai iscun
chunka hisqunniyuq
20: ichcai chunca
iskay chunka
21: ichcai chunca shuc
iskay chunka hukniyuq
22: ichcai chunca ishcai
iskay chunka iskayniyuq
23: ichcai chunca quimsa
iscay chunka kinsayuq
30: quinsa 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: ichcai pachac
iskay pacha
300: quinsa pachac
kinsa pacha
1,000: waranq'a.
2,000: ichcai waranq'a
iskay waranqa
1,000,000: hunu ( )
1,000,000,000: waranq'a hunu( )
1,000,000,000,000: hunu hunu ( )
number _____ (train, bus, etc.): Yupana. ( )
half: chaupi ( )
less: pisiwan ( )
more: astawan.

Time

now: kunan, kunallan, kunitan ( )
later: caya
before: ñaupaq ( )
morning: tutamanta
afternoon: ch'isinkuy ( )
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): punchaw(kuna)
_____ week(s): punchaw junt'a(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: inti punchay
Monday: luna punchay
Tuesday: marti punchaw
Wednesday: mircuriu punchay
Thursday: jupitir punchay
Friday: vinus punchay
Saturday: saturnu punchay

Months

January: Qhaqmiy killa
February: Jatunpuquy killa
March: Pacha puquy killa
April: Ariwaki killa
May: Aymuray killa
June: Inti raymi killa / Jawkaykuskiy killa
July: Anta situwa killa / Chakrakunakuy killa
August: Qhapaq situwa killa / Chawawarki killa / Chakrayapuy killa
September: Unu raymi killa / Tarpuy killa
October: Quya raymi killa / Pawqar waray killa
November: Ayamarq'ay killa / Nuwimri
December: Qhapaq inti raymi killa

Writing time and date

Colors

black: yana
white: yuraq
gray: uj'i
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 suyt'u mula wasita?
...the bus station?: ...lata mula wasita?
...the airport?: ...lata pajaru wasita?
...downtown?: ...chaupin llaqtapaqta?
...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?: ...mikjuna wasi/wasiquna? (lit. "food house(s)" -- "mikjuna" = "food" & "wasi" = "house")
...bars?: ...aq'a upyana wasi/wasiquna?
...sites to see?: ...munay rikunaquna?
Can you show me on the map?: Rikuchiwanqimanchu cay mapa nisqapi?
street: k'iqllu
Turn left.: Lluquiman kutiriy
Turn right.: pañaman kutiriy
left: lluqui
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, pusawaychis ...ma.
How much does it cost to get to _____?: Jayqataq chanin chayanaypaq ...qama?
Take me there, please.: Ama jinallachu qay, apaway 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 japinapaq puñuna wasi?
How much is a room for one person/two people?: Jayqataq huq/ichcai runapaq?
Does the room come with...: Jamunchu :
...bedsheets?: sawanayuq?
...a bathroom?: hispana wasiyuq?
...a telephone?: wajanayuq?
...a TV?: qjawanayuq?
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 puñuna wasi umachawanquimanchu?
Do you have a safe?: Qanchu huk jarkasqa?
...lockers?: ...armariukuna?
Is breakfast/supper included?: Tutamanta/punchay miq'una chaypiyuqchu qachqa?
What time is breakfast/supper?: Tutamanta/punchay miq'unata jayqaqtaq aypunqaqu?
Please clean my room.: Ama jinallachu qay, jallchay nuqaq puñuna 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 t'asquinapak nuqapaq?
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: Maypitaq atiyman tariyta huk bulitu t'asquinapak 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 jina qaychu, huk hanparata ukpaq/isqaypaq.
Can I look at the menu, please?: Ama jina qaychu, rikuchihuay imas qan mik'unapaq?
Can I look in the kitchen?: Atiymanchu rikuyta mik'una wasipi?
Is there a house specialty?: Qanchu aswan allin mik'una wasichayquimanta?
Is there a local specialty?: Qanchu Aswan allin mik'una suyuchayquimanta/llaqtachayquimanta?
I'm a vegetarian.: Mana aychatachu mik'unim.
I don't eat pork.: Mana k'uchi aychatachu mik'unim.
I don't eat beef.: Mana waka aychatachu mik'unim.
I only eat kosher food.: kushir mik'unallata mik'unim.
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): Ama jina qaychu, wayq'upuay manam wirayuqta? (pisi unt'uwan/wirawan/unt'uchisqawan)
fixed-price meal: ( )
à la carte: ( )
breakfast: Tutamanta mik'una
lunch: paraqin mik'uy / payquy
tea (meal): ( )
supper: Punchay mik'una
I want _____.: ____-ta munanim.
I want a dish containing _____.: ...yukta mik'unata munanim.
chicken: wallpa aycha, gallina
beef: waka aycha
fish: challwa
ham: k'uchi aycha, jamón
sausage: chicharrun
cheese: kisu
eggs: runtu
salad: ( )
(fresh) vegetables: asnapa
(fresh) fruit: ruru / wayu.
bread: t'anta
toast: ( )
noodles: ( )
rice: arrus
beans: hawas, arwijas
May I have a glass of _____? Aticunchu ____chata huk k'irupi?
May I have a cup of _____?: ( )
May I have a bottle of _____?: ( )
coffee: cafi
tea (drink): matí
juice: ( )
(bubbly) water: ( )
(still) water: yaku, unu (Cusco)
beer: yaku upiachina
red/white wine: ( )
May I have some _____?: Qapuwanmanchu ima/huk...?
salt: kachi
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 jina qaychu, maqchiy chuayta.
The check, please.: Ama jina qaychu, hayq'a chanin.

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: yaku upianachiq aypuna qanchu?
Is there table service?: Qanchu hanpara aypuna?
A beer/two beers, please.: Ama jina qaychu, huk/ichcai yaku upianachiq(kuna).
A glass of red/white wine, please.: ( )
A pint, please.: ( )
A bottle, please.: ( )
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: ( )
whisky: ( )
vodka: ( )
rum: ( )
water: unu, yaku
club soda: ( )
tonic water: ( )
orange juice: ( )
Coke (soda): gaseosa
Do you have any bar snacks?: ( )
One more, please.: Ama jina qaychu, huktawan.
Another round, please.: Ama jina qaychu, huk muyuriqtawan.
When is closing time?: Ima jayka pachata wiskanqi.
Cheers!: ( )

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: Qanchu qay nuqajinapaq?
How much is this?: qay hayk'am?
That's too expensive.: Qaypis achqa.
Would you take _____?: ...aparicuwanquimanchu?
expensive: Ashqa.
cheap: Pisi.
I can't afford it.: Qayta mana uyaqunichu.
I don't want it.: Qayta mana munanichu.
You're cheating me.: Qan yukachasiwanqui.
I'm not interested.: Mana.
OK, I'll take it.: Allin, qayta apakusaqmin.
Can I have a bag?: Qanmanchu huk wayaqa?
Do you ship (overseas)?: ( )
I need...: ____-ta sinchita munani.
...toothpaste.: kiru maqchina... ( )
...a toothbrush.: kiru k'ituna... ( )
...tampons.: . ( )
...soap.: uya maqchina... ( )
...shampoo.: chukcha maqchina... ( )
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): upiana jampi... ( )
...cold medicine.: cunca jampi... ( )
...stomach medicine.: wiksa jampi... ( )
...a razor.: huk uya k'ituna... ( )
...an umbrella.: huk intimanta amachakuq... ( )
...sunblock lotion.: .
...a postcard.: ( )
...postage stamps.: ( )
...batteries.: ( )
...writing paper.: q'illqana... ( )
...a pen.: huk q'illqa...
...English-language books.: . ( )
...English-language magazines.: ... inlis q'ilqayoq q'ilcachcakuna... ( )
...an English-language newspaper. inlis musuq punchaw willaquqkuna...: ( )
...an English-English dictionary. huk inlis q'illqa tiqrachiq...: ( )

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: p'away amachaq.
gas (petrol) station: Lata mulapak mik'una wasin.
petrol: Lata mulapak mik'unan.
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!