Here are basic words and common phrases in Quechua:
| Translation | Phrase | IPA | Pronunciation | Literal meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quechua | runasimi | /ɾunasimi/ | (“roo-na-SEE-mee”) | people's language |
| hello | allin p'unchaw | /aʎin pʼuntʃaw/ | (“AH-lyeen P'OON-chow”) | good day |
| good-bye | huk kutikama | /huk kutikama/ | (“HOOK koo-tee-KAH-mah”) | until another time |
| please | allichu | /aʎitʃu/ | (“ah-LYEE-choo”) | is it OK? |
| thank you | añaychayki | /aɲajtʃajki/ | (“ah-nyay-CHAY-kee”) | I thank you |
| you're welcome | mana imamantapas | /mana imamantapas/ | (“MAH-nah ee-mah-mahn-TAH-pahs”) | not even about something |
| imamanta | /imamanta/ | (“ee-mah-MAHN-tah”) | about something | |
| that (closer) | chay | /tʃaj/ | (“CHAY”) | |
| that (further) | haqay | /hɑqɑj/ | (“HAH-khay”) | |
| this | kay | /kaj/ | (“KAY”) | |
| how much? | hayk'a | /hajkʼa/ | (“HAY-k'ah”) | |
| English | inlis | /inlis/ | (“EEN-lees”) | |
| yes | arí | /aɾi/ | (“ah-REE”) | |
| no | mana | /mana/ | (“MAH-nah”) | |
| sorry | pampachaway | /pampatʃawaj/ | (“pahm-pah-CHAH-way”) | forgive me |
| I don’t understand | manam hap'inichu | /manam hapʼinitʃu/ | (“MAH-nahm hah-p'ee-NEE-choo”) | |
| where's the toilet? | maypitaq ispana kan? | /majpitɑq ispana kan/ | (“may-PEE-tahkh ees-PAH-nah KAHN”) | |
| cheers! | upyaykurikuy! | /upjajkuɾikuj/ | (“oop-yay-koo-REE-kooy”) | |
| do you speak English? | inlista rimankichu? | /inlista ɾimankitʃu/ | (“een-LEES-tah ree-mahn-KEE-choo”) | |
| do you (plural) speak English? | inlista rimankichikchu? | /inlista ɾimankitʃiktʃu/ | (“een-LEES-tah ree-mahn-kee-CHEEK-choo”) | |
| do you speak Spanish? | kastillanuta rimankichu? | /kastiʎanuta ɾimankitʃu/ | (“kahs-tee-lyah-NOO-tah ree-mahn-KEE-choo”) | |
| I don't speak Quechua | manam runasimita rimanichu | /manam ɾunasimita ɾimanitʃu/ | (“MAH-nahm roo-nah-see-MEE-tah ree-mah-NEE-choo”) |