{"id":8183,"date":"2025-02-26T02:02:28","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T07:02:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kantuperutours.com\/blog\/?p=8183"},"modified":"2026-03-04T12:22:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T17:22:02","slug":"quechua-phrases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kantuperutours.com\/blog\/quechua-phrases","title":{"rendered":"LEARN QUECHUA PHRASES | Practical Guide for Your Trip to Cusco – Peru in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
The essentials:<\/div>\n

Learning a few Quechua phrases in Cusco helps you connect respectfully with local communities. Start with greetings, thanks, prices, directions, and food. With just 10 minutes a day, you\u2019ll learn the basics for a more authentic trip.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>, we provide you with Quechua phrases, useful resources, and practical tips so you can learn the essentials before your trip.<\/p>\n

\n
\ud83d\udccc The 10 Most Common Quechua Phrases<\/div>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
English<\/th>\nQuechua (Cusco)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Good morning<\/td>\nAllin p\u2019unchay<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Thank you<\/td>\nA\u00f1ay<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Please<\/td>\nAma hina kaychu<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How are you?<\/td>\nImaynalla kashanki?<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Where is the bathroom?<\/td>\nMaypitaq ba\u00f1o?<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sorry \/ Excuse me<\/td>\nPampachaykuway<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water<\/td>\nYaku<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Food<\/td>\nMikuy<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I\u2019m hungry<\/td>\nYarqaymi<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Delicious<\/td>\nMisk\u2019i<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/h2>\n

What languages are spoken in Peru and Cusco?<\/h2>\n

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<\/a>. This linguistic richness reflects Peru’s multiculturalism and its deep connection to its ancestral roots.<\/p>\n

\"A
A lady with the Peruvian Flag<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is Quechua and where is the language of the Incas spoken?<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Cusco
Cusco from a drone view<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why to learn Quechua phrases before your trip to Cusco?<\/h2>\n

1. Cultural connection:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

2. Better travel experience:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

3. Overcoming language barriers:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
Traveler tip: make the most of the Sacred Valley<\/div>\n
If you’re planning to visit traditional markets and Andean villages, our
\n
\nSacred Valley Tour
\n<\/a>
\nis a great option. It\u2019s the easiest way to combine culture, stunning landscapes, and must-see stops in just one day\u2014without worrying about logistics.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"A
A tourist with a young girl from Ollantaytambo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Top Quechua phrases for travelers in 2026<\/h2>\n

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 2026. Therefore, here is a list of essential Quechua phrases that will be useful during your trip to Cusco, organized by topics:<\/p>\n

Greetings in Quechua<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u2022 ALLIN P\u2019UNCHAY:<\/span> Good morning \/a-yin pun-chai\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 ALLIN SUKHA:<\/span> Good afternoon \/a-yin su-kha\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 ALLIN TUTA:<\/span> Good evening \/a-yin tu-ta\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 ALLIN CH\u2019ISI:<\/span> Good evening \/a-yin chi-si\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 HINALLATAQ QANPAQPAS:<\/span> Likewise to you \/hi-na-lla-taq qan-paq-pas\/<\/p>\n

\"Native
Native woman in Puno<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Words for farewells in Quechua<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022 PAQARINKAMA:<\/span> Until tomorrow \/pa-qa-rin-ka-ma\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 SUKHAKAMA:<\/span> Until the afternoon \/su-kha-ka-ma\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 TUTAKAMA:<\/span> Until the evening \/tu-ta-ka-ma\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 MINCHHAKAMA:<\/span> Until the day after tomorrow \/min-chha-ka-ma\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 KUTIMUNAYKAMA:<\/span> Until I return \/ku-ti-mu-nai-ka-ma\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 TUPANANCHISKAMA:<\/span> Until we meet again \/tu-pa-nan-chis-ka-ma\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 HOQ P\u2019UNCHAYKAMA:<\/span> Until another day \/hoq pun-chai-ka-ma\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 RIPUSHANI\u00d1A, RISAQ:<\/span> I’m leaving now \/ri-pu-sha-ni-\u00f1a, ri-saq\/<\/p>\n

\"A
A local cuple in the Rainbow Mountain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expressions of courtesy and gratitude in Quechua<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022 SUMAQLLA\u00d1A:<\/span> I am grateful \/su-maq-lla-\u00f1a\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 ANCHATA KUSIKUNI:<\/span> I am very happy \/an-cha-ta ku-si-ku-ni\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 A\u00d1AY:<\/span> Thank you \/a-\u00f1ay\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 A\u00d1AYCHAYKI:<\/span> I thank you \/a-\u00f1ay-chai-ki\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 ANCHATA A\u00d1AYCHAKUYKI:<\/span> I thank you very much \/an-cha-ta a-\u00f1ay-cha-kuy-ki\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 AMA HINA KAYCHU:<\/span> Please \/a-ma hi-na kai-chu\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 PAMPACHAYKUWAY:<\/span> Forgive me or excuse me \/pam-pa-chay-ku-wai\/<\/p>\n

\"Mujer
Mujer vendiendo souveniers en la plaza de Armas de Cusco<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Common expressions in Quechua<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022 ARI:<\/span> Yes \/a-ri\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 MANA: <\/span>No \/ma-na\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 IMAYNALLAN KASHANKI?:<\/span> How are you? \/i-mai-nal-lan ka-shan-ki\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 ALLILLANCHU KASHANKI?:<\/span> How are you? \/a-yi-llan-chu ka-shan-ki\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 ALLILLANCHU?:<\/span> How are you? \/a-yi-llan-chu\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 ALLILLANMI KASHIANI, QAMR\u00cd?:<\/span> I am fine, and you? \/a-yi-llan-mi ka-shi-a-ni, qam-ri\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 NOQAPAS ALLILLANMI KASHANI:<\/span> I am also fine \/no-qa-pas a-yi-llan-mi ka-sha-ni\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 IMATAQ SUTIYKI?:<\/span> What is your name? \/i-ma-taq su-ti-y-ki\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u00d1UQAP SUTIYMI DAVID:<\/span> My name is David \/\u00f1u-qap su-ti-y-mi Da-vid\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 MAYMANTAN KANKI?:<\/span> Where are you from? \/mai-man-tan kan-ki\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u00d1UQA QOSQOMANTA KANI:<\/span> I am from Cusco \/\u00f1u-qa qos-qo-man-ta ka-ni\/<\/p>\n

\"Frases
Frases en quechua para hablar con locales en la monta\u00f1a de colores<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Quechua phrases about the cost of things you buy<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022 \u00bfHAYK\u2019A KAN?:<\/span> How much is it? \/hai-ka kan\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 ANCHA CHANIN:<\/span> It’s very expensive \/an-cha cha-nin\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 PISILLALLA:<\/span> It’s cheap \/pi-si-lla-lla\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u00bfCHIMPU KANCHU?:<\/span> Do you have a discount? \/chim-pu kan-chu\/<\/p>\n

\n
\ud83e\uddf5 You may also like: A cultural experience in Chinchero<\/div>\n

If you want to practice Quechua in an authentic setting, Chinchero<\/strong> is ideal: a traditional market, textile artisans,
\nand local communities where Andean culture is still alive. Perfect for using greetings, \u201cA\u00f1ay\u201d<\/strong>, and polite phrases with respect.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc49
\nSee the Chinchero experience \u2192
\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"Chinchero
Chinchero local market of handicrafts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Quechua phrases for location or directions<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022 \u00bfMAYPITA\u00d1AN\u2026?:<\/span> Where is\u2026? \/mai-pi-ta-\u00f1an\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u00bfMAYPITA\u00d1AN BA\u00d1O?:<\/span> Where is the bathroom? \/mai-pi-ta-\u00f1an ba-\u00f1o\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u00bfMAYPITA\u00d1AN PLAZA?:<\/span> Where is the plaza? \/mai-pi-ta-\u00f1an pla-sa\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u00bfMAYPITA\u00d1AN HOTEL?:<\/span> Where is the hotel? \/mai-pi-ta-\u00f1an ho-tel\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 LLOQ\u2019E:<\/span> Left \/yo-qe\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 PA\u00d1A:<\/span> Right \/pa-\u00f1a\/<\/p>\n

\"Frases
Frases en Quechua para hablar con locales como esta mujer en Ollantaytambo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expressions in Quechua for food<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022 YAKU:<\/span> Water \/ya-ku\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 MIKUY:<\/span> Food \/mi-kuy\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 KAYTA MUNANI:<\/span> I want this \/kai-ta mu-na-ni\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u00bfKANCHU\u2026?:<\/span> Do you have\u2026? \/kan-chu\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 MISKI:<\/span> Delicious \/mis-ki\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 YARQAYMI:<\/span> I am hungry \/yar-kai-mi\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 CH\u2019AKIY:<\/span> I am thirsty \/cha-kiy\/<\/p>\n

\"Se\u00f1oras
Se\u00f1oras vendiendo en el mercado San Pedro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Friend or brother in Quechua<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022 MASIKUNA:<\/span> Friend \/ma-si-ku-na\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 WAWQI:<\/span> Brother \/wau-qi\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u00d1A\u00d1A:<\/span> Sister \/nya-nya\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 SULPAYKI, MASIKUNA:<\/span> Thank you, friend \/sul-pai-ki, ma-si-ku-na\/<\/p>\n

\"Chocolates
Chocolates en base a Cacao en el Mercado de San Pedro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Quechua phrases for flirting<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022 SUMAQMI KANKI:<\/span> You are beautiful\/handsome \/su-maq-mi kan-ki\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 MUNAYKI:<\/span> I like you \/mu-nai-ki\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u00bf\u00d1OQAWAN PURINAYKIPAQCHU?:<\/span> Do you want to go out with me? \/nyo-qa-wan pu-ri-nai-ki-paq-chu\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 SAPANMI KANKI:<\/span> You are special \/sa-pan-mi kan-ki\/<\/p>\n

\"Bailarina
Bailarina de Saya en festividad de Cusco<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Numbers in Quechua<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2022 HUK:<\/span> One \/huk\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 ISKAY:<\/span> Two \/is-kai\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 KINSA: T<\/span>hree \/kin-sa\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 TAWA:<\/span> Four \/ta-wa\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 PISQA:<\/span> Five \/pis-qa, phi-sqa\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 SOQTA:<\/span> Six \/soq-ta\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 QANCHIS:<\/span> Seven \/qan-chis\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 PUSAQ:<\/span> Eight \/pu-saq\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 ISQON:<\/span> Nine \/is-qon\/<\/p>\n

\u2022 CHUNKA:<\/span> Ten \/chun-ka\/<\/p>\n

\"Frutas
Frutas en el mercado San Pedro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Resources to learn more Quechua phrases<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

1. Memrise:<\/strong> Offers basic Quechua courses.<\/p>\n

2. Quechua Language:<\/strong> A website with free lessons and vocabulary.<\/p>\n

3. Duolingo:<\/strong> Although it doesn’t have Quechua, it’s useful for learning Spanish, which will help you communicate in the region.<\/p>\n

\"A
A native couple in the Sacred Valley on the Incas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tips for practicing Quechua phrases before your trip<\/h2>\n

1. Practice daily:<\/strong> If your trip to Cusco or Peru is approaching, dedicate 10-15 minutes a day to learning new Quechua phrases.<\/p>\n

2. Speak with natives:<\/strong> If you have the opportunity to speak with someone who speaks Quechua in Cusco<\/a>, don’t be afraid and take advantage of it!<\/p>\n

3. Use flashcards: Create<\/strong> flashcards with useful Quechua phrases and review them regularly, or if you’re in Cusco, buy Quechua board games.<\/p>\n

4. Listen to music:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

\"Quechua
Quechua phrases<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The importance of cultural respect<\/h2>\n

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.<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

\"Tour
Tour gastron\u00f3mico en Cusco<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Additional facts and tips about Quechua in Cusco<\/h2>\n

1. Regional variations:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

2. Pronunciation:<\/strong> Pronunciation in Quechua can be different from Spanish, but with practice listening to audios or videos, it will become very easy.<\/p>\n

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

4. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes:<\/strong> Locals will appreciate your effort, even if you make mistakes.<\/p>\n

\n
\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f You may also like: Cusco Food Tour<\/div>\n

If you want to experience Cusco with all your senses, this tour is perfect: visit the San Pedro Market<\/strong>,
\ntaste local flavors, and learn about Andean ingredients through an authentic experience. It\u2019s also a great way to practice phrases like
\n\u201cKanchu\u2026?\u201d<\/strong>, \u201cA\u00f1ay\u201d<\/strong>, and \u201cMisk\u2019i\u201d<\/strong>.
\n\ud83d\udc49
\nView the Food Tour \u2192
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"A
A woman with a her alpaca in Cusco Peru<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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<\/a>, 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! \ud83c\udf0d\u2728<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The essentials: Learning a few Quechua phrases in Cusco helps you connect respectfully with local communities. Start with greetings, thanks, prices, directions, and food. With just 10 minutes a day, you\u2019ll learn the basics for a more authentic trip. Planning a trip to Cusco, Peru, the historic capital of the Inca Empire? Learning Quechua phrases […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":8197,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[74,4934,4978],"tags":[],"post-faq":[],"class_list":["post-8183","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cusco","category-food","category-tips-en"],"acf":[],"views":6563,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kantuperutours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8183","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kantuperutours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kantuperutours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kantuperutours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kantuperutours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8183"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.kantuperutours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8183\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13731,"href":"https:\/\/www.kantuperutours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8183\/revisions\/13731"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kantuperutours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8197"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kantuperutours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8183"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kantuperutours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8183"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kantuperutours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8183"},{"taxonomy":"post-faq","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kantuperutours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post-faq?post=8183"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}