LEARN QUECHUA PHRASES | Practical Guide for Your Trip to Cusco – Peru in 2025

Planning a trip to Cusco, Peru, the historic capital of the Inca Empire? Learning Quechua phrases will not only help you communicate better with local communities but also allow you to immerse yourself in Andean culture in a more authentic way. In this guide, thanks to Kantu Peru Tours, we provide you with Quechua phrases, useful resources, and practical tips so you can learn the essentials before your trip.

What languages are spoken in Peru and Cusco?

In Peru, the official language is Spanish, spoken by the majority of the population, however, the country is recognized for its linguistic diversity, with over 40 recognized indigenous languages, among which Quechua stands out, a legacy of the Inca Empire and widely spoken in Andean regions like Cusco. In this city, besides Spanish and Quechua, you might also hear Aymara, especially in communities near Lake Titicaca. This linguistic richness reflects Peru’s multiculturalism and its deep connection to its ancestral roots.

A lady with the Peruvian Flag

What is Quechua and where is the language of the Incas spoken?

Quechua is a family of languages spoken by over 10 million people in South America, especially in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. In Cusco, Quechua is a fundamental part of cultural identity, and although there are regional variations, basic Quechua phrases are usually similar.

Cusco from a drone view

Why to learn Quechua phrases before your trip to Cusco?

1. Cultural connection: Quechua is an ancient language that has been passed down through generations, so using Quechua phrases shows respect for the local culture and opens doors to unique experiences.

2. Better travel experience: Saying a few words in Quechua will allow you to interact with indigenous and local communities in Cusco, as well as understand their traditions and explore less touristy places.

3. Overcoming language barriers: In rural areas of Cusco, many people speak Quechua as their mother tongue and do not always master Spanish. Knowing some Quechua phrases will help you communicate better.

A tourist with a young girl from Ollantaytambo

Top Quechua phrases for travelers in 2025

Quechua, a millennial language and cultural heritage of the Andes, is still alive in the streets, markets, and communities of Cusco. Learning some basic phrases will not only help you communicate with locals but also allow you to immerse yourself in the rich Andean culture and win the hearts of its inhabitants. Whether it’s to greet, ask for directions, or give thanks, these Quechua phrases will be your bridge to a more authentic and enriching experience during your trip in 2025. Therefore, here is a list of essential Quechua phrases that will be useful during your trip to Cusco, organized by topics:

Greetings in Quechua

• ALLIN P’UNCHAY: Good morning /a-yin pun-chai/

• ALLIN SUKHA: Good afternoon /a-yin su-kha/

• ALLIN TUTA: Good evening /a-yin tu-ta/

• ALLIN CH’ISI: Good evening /a-yin chi-si/

• HINALLATAQ QANPAQPAS: Likewise to you /hi-na-lla-taq qan-paq-pas/

Native woman in Puno

Words for farewells in Quechua

• PAQARINKAMA: Until tomorrow /pa-qa-rin-ka-ma/

• SUKHAKAMA: Until the afternoon /su-kha-ka-ma/

• TUTAKAMA: Until the evening /tu-ta-ka-ma/

• MINCHHAKAMA: Until the day after tomorrow /min-chha-ka-ma/

• KUTIMUNAYKAMA: Until I return /ku-ti-mu-nai-ka-ma/

• TUPANANCHISKAMA: Until we meet again /tu-pa-nan-chis-ka-ma/

• HOQ P’UNCHAYKAMA: Until another day /hoq pun-chai-ka-ma/

• RIPUSHANIÑA, RISAQ: I’m leaving now /ri-pu-sha-ni-ña, ri-saq/

A local cuple in the Rainbow Mountain

Expressions of courtesy and gratitude in Quechua

• SUMAQLLAÑA: I am grateful /su-maq-lla-ña/

• ANCHATA KUSIKUNI: I am very happy /an-cha-ta ku-si-ku-ni/

• AÑAY: Thank you /a-ñay/

• AÑAYCHAYKI: I thank you /a-ñay-chai-ki/

• ANCHATA AÑAYCHAKUYKI: I thank you very much /an-cha-ta a-ñay-cha-kuy-ki/

• AMA HINA KAYCHU: Please /a-ma hi-na kai-chu/

• PAMPACHAYKUWAY: Forgive me or excuse me /pam-pa-chay-ku-wai/

Mujer vendiendo souveniers en la plaza de Armas de Cusco

Common expressions in Quechua

• ARI: Yes /a-ri/

• MANA: No /ma-na/

• IMAYNALLAN KASHANKI?: How are you? /i-mai-nal-lan ka-shan-ki/

• ALLILLANCHU KASHANKI?: How are you? /a-yi-llan-chu ka-shan-ki/

• ALLILLANCHU?: How are you? /a-yi-llan-chu/

• ALLILLANMI KASHIANI, QAMRÍ?: I am fine, and you? /a-yi-llan-mi ka-shi-a-ni, qam-ri/

• NOQAPAS ALLILLANMI KASHANI: I am also fine /no-qa-pas a-yi-llan-mi ka-sha-ni/

• IMATAQ SUTIYKI?: What is your name? /i-ma-taq su-ti-y-ki/

• ÑUQAP SUTIYMI DAVID: My name is David /ñu-qap su-ti-y-mi Da-vid/

• MAYMANTAN KANKI?: Where are you from? /mai-man-tan kan-ki/

• ÑUQA QOSQOMANTA KANI: I am from Cusco /ñu-qa qos-qo-man-ta ka-ni/

Frases en quechua para hablar con locales en la montaña de colores

Quechua phrases about the cost of things you buy

• ¿HAYK’A KAN?: How much is it? /hai-ka kan/

• ANCHA CHANIN: It’s very expensive /an-cha cha-nin/

• PISILLALLA: It’s cheap /pi-si-lla-lla/

• ¿CHIMPU KANCHU?: Do you have a discount? /chim-pu kan-chu/

Chinchero local market of handicrafts

Quechua phrases for location or directions

• ¿MAYPITAÑAN…?: Where is…? /mai-pi-ta-ñan/

• ¿MAYPITAÑAN BAÑO?: Where is the bathroom? /mai-pi-ta-ñan ba-ño/

• ¿MAYPITAÑAN PLAZA?: Where is the plaza? /mai-pi-ta-ñan pla-sa/

• ¿MAYPITAÑAN HOTEL?: Where is the hotel? /mai-pi-ta-ñan ho-tel/

• LLOQ’E: Left /yo-qe/

• PAÑA: Right /pa-ña/

Frases en Quechua para hablar con locales como esta mujer en Ollantaytambo

Expressions in Quechua for food

• YAKU: Water /ya-ku/

• MIKUY: Food /mi-kuy/

• KAYTA MUNANI: I want this /kai-ta mu-na-ni/

• ¿KANCHU…?: Do you have…? /kan-chu/

• MISKI: Delicious /mis-ki/

• YARQAYMI: I am hungry /yar-kai-mi/

• CH’AKIY: I am thirsty /cha-kiy/

Señoras vendiendo en el mercado San Pedro

Friend or brother in Quechua

• MASIKUNA: Friend /ma-si-ku-na/

• WAWQI: Brother /wau-qi/

• ÑAÑA: Sister /nya-nya/

• SULPAYKI, MASIKUNA: Thank you, friend /sul-pai-ki, ma-si-ku-na/

Chocolates en base a Cacao en el Mercado de San Pedro

Quechua phrases for flirting

• SUMAQMI KANKI: You are beautiful/handsome /su-maq-mi kan-ki/

• MUNAYKI: I like you /mu-nai-ki/

• ¿ÑOQAWAN PURINAYKIPAQCHU?: Do you want to go out with me? /nyo-qa-wan pu-ri-nai-ki-paq-chu/

• SAPANMI KANKI: You are special /sa-pan-mi kan-ki/

Bailarina de Saya en festividad de Cusco

Numbers in Quechua

• HUK: One /huk/

• ISKAY: Two /is-kai/

• KINSA: Three /kin-sa/

• TAWA: Four /ta-wa/

• PISQA: Five /pis-qa, phi-sqa/

• SOQTA: Six /soq-ta/

• QANCHIS: Seven /qan-chis/

• PUSAQ: Eight /pu-saq/

• ISQON: Nine /is-qon/

• CHUNKA: Ten /chun-ka/

Frutas en el mercado San Pedro

Resources to learn more Quechua phrases

If you want to delve deeper into the language, here are some useful online resources and apps you can use to break the ice with locals, which are also essential as part of your travel apps for Cusco and Peru in 2025.

1. Memrise: Offers basic Quechua courses.

2. Quechua Language: A website with free lessons and vocabulary.

3. Duolingo: Although it doesn’t have Quechua, it’s useful for learning Spanish, which will help you communicate in the region.

A native couple in the Sacred Valley on the Incas

Tips for practicing Quechua phrases before your trip

1. Practice daily: If your trip to Cusco or Peru is approaching, dedicate 10-15 minutes a day to learning new Quechua phrases.

2. Speak with natives: If you have the opportunity to speak with someone who speaks Quechua in Cusco, don’t be afraid and take advantage of it!

3. Use flashcards: Create flashcards with useful Quechua phrases and review them regularly, or if you’re in Cusco, buy Quechua board games.

4. Listen to music: It’s an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the sounds of the language, such as William Luna with Andean music or Renata Flores who modernizes it.

Picnic en Maras

The importance of cultural respect

Quechua is more than a language; it is a fundamental part of the identity of millions of people you will share with during your trip to Cusco. Therefore, when learning Quechua phrases, approach with respect, and local communities will appreciate your effort and be more willing to share their culture with you.

Tour gastronómico en Cusco

Additional facts and tips about Quechua in Cusco

1. Regional variations: Quechua has different variations depending on the region, but it only varies in accent, so make sure to learn phrases that are useful in Cusco.

2. Pronunciation: Pronunciation in Quechua can be different from Spanish, but with practice listening to audios or videos, it will become very easy.

3. Gestures and context: Accompany your Quechua phrases with friendly gestures and smiles, as this will facilitate communication, even if you don’t master the language.

4. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes: Locals will appreciate your effort, even if you make mistakes.

A woman with a her alpaca in Cusco Peru

As you immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of Cusco, the power of Quechua will bring you even closer to the essence of this ancestral land. Whether you’re exploring the imposing ruins of Machu Picchu, wandering through colorful local markets, or simply sharing a conversation with friendly locals, mastering a few Quechua phrases will open doors and hearts throughout your journey. Thanks to Kantu Peru Tours, you are now ready to interact with the locals. If you liked the information, don’t forget to give it a like and share it with other travelers, and if you have any questions to plan your trip to Cusco or need advice, don’t hesitate to contact us! 🌍✨