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Quechua phrasebook Voyage Tips and guide

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    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

    [edit]

    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    ch
    like "ch" as in "chat" ; (IPA: )
    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: )
    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: )
    p'
    ejective "p" ; (IPA: p')
    q
    not found in English ; (IPA: q)
    qh
    like "q", followed by a puff of air ; (IPA: )
    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: )
    t'
    ejective "t" ; (IPA: t')
    y
    like "y" as in "yes" ; (IPA: j)
    w
    like "w" as in "we" ; (IPA: w)

    Phrase list

    [edit]

    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

    [edit]

    Most of these are the Cusco dialect

    Common signs


    OPEN
    Kichasqa
    CLOSED
    Wisq'asqa
    ENTRANCE
    Yaykuna
    EXIT
    Lluqsina
    PUSH
    Tanqay
    PULL
    Chutay
    TOILET
    Sanitariu niska wasikuna
    MEN
    Qharikuna
    WOMEN
    Warmikuna
    FORBIDDEN
    Amachasqa
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    • 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

    [edit]
    now
    kunan, kunallan, kunitan ( )
    later
    caya
    before
    ñaupaq ( )
    morning
    tutamastin
    afternoon
    chisinkuy ( )
    evening
    ch'isi pacha ( )
    night
    tuta

    Clock time

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    _____ 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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]

    Colors

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]

    Bus and train

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    • 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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
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