The complete table below is the same 481-term list used by this guide's SRS deck and downloads.
Hover or tap a highlighted term to see its English meaning and copy it. With a keyboard, Tab to the first term and use the arrow keys; source status is shown in the popup.
#
Quechua
English
1
Good.
2
I am still eating.
3
Let's eat!
4
Let's sing!
5
Let's dance!
6
Please.
7
Thanks!
8
Now!
9
How beautiful!
10
How cold!
11
It's so hot!
12
I'll walk.
13
Take a break.
14
Can I leave?
15
Can I come in?
16
That's OK.
17
I am sick.
18
Help us!
19
I feel hungry.
20
It's snowing there.
21
It's raining there.
22
It snows there.
23
It rains there.
24
It's raining here.
25
Do you love me?
26
You hear me.
27
I hear you.
28
I love you.
29
See you again.
30
See you tomorrow.
31
I'm fine.
32
Is it a llama?
33
I will eat.
34
I am also resting.
35
I'm resting.
36
I relax.
37
Let's go sing.
38
Let's go dancing.
39
Let's go to eat.
40
Greetings from the community.
41
The apple is red.
42
Music makes you dance.
43
Sadness makes you cry.
44
Food makes you grow.
45
Where do you live?
46
Which one is your son?
47
Where are you going to?
48
What is your name?
49
Who is she?
50
What are you doing?
51
What's up?
52
I'm doing fine.
53
I study later.
54
I read.
55
It's hailing today.
56
It's rainy today.
57
Bring the banana.
58
I run.
59
I'm fishing.
60
I speak.
61
I sing.
62
I walk.
63
I sleep.
64
They dance.
65
You dance.
66
We're dancing.
67
He dances.
68
I dance.
69
Who is a teacher?
70
Are you a teacher?
71
The men are working.
72
Do you play in a team?
73
Do you live with your family?
74
How much do I owe you?
75
When will you leave?
76
Where are you from?
77
I miss you.
78
I can't.
79
I don't know.
80
Pardon me?
81
We're leaving now.
82
Could you please help me?
83
What is your sister like?
84
They are talking with the police officer.
85
Turn to the right.
86
The cat is black.
87
Here he is!
88
I learn Quechua.
89
I sing to make my living.
90
I will sing while he is resting.
91
I will do it because she said.
92
While I sing, I'm walking.
93
If you want, I will come back here.
94
I will go when they come back here.
95
I'm living in a small town.
96
I'm living in a town.
97
I live in a small town.
98
I live in a town.
99
I want to wash myself.
100
I am learning Quechua.
101
I love her.
102
The men are coming.
103
Let the children play!
104
Let's not play.
105
Don't go.
106
Don't come.
107
Okay, let's go.
108
Yes, you love me.
109
Are you glad to meet me?
110
Nice to meet you.
111
See you next time!
112
See you later!
113
Are you the boss?
114
That skirt costs two hundred dollars.
115
I don't have a brother.
116
Every little house has its own little cross.
117
Until next time.
118
Where do you come from?
119
I'm sad.
120
Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest building in the world.
121
Do you love your dear little dog?
122
Hades is Apollo's uncle.
123
The apples fell from the tree.
124
I don't have a brother.
125
Hello, Hanako.
126
Do you have a sister, Lucia?
127
Hello, John! How are you?
128
You are a zombie.
129
Would you not do it, because he says?
130
My name is Jack.
131
The month of April ends today.
132
The clothes are beautiful.
133
He is coming back directly from South America.
134
This man is Pedro.
135
How many onions?
136
I get this right from here.
137
I also rest.
138
Let the children come!
139
Is there hot water?
140
That costs 20 per arroba.
141
I will sit here until he sings.
142
Close the book.
143
Who is that man?
144
One who loves danger, shall perish in it.
145
Is that your big house?
146
I eat.
147
Are they tall?
148
Bill Nye is a teacher.
149
The month of March ends today.
150
You're not alone.
151
They say the water swirls in the center of that lagoon.
152
I like him.
153
It's snowing here.
154
They are talking about what they will sing.
155
The month of December ends today.
156
They've always been petting each other.
157
I don't speak your language.
158
Maria, Marcelina and father José are going to town.
159
This apple is red.
160
Water gives life.
161
I'm a student. How about you?
162
I have no wife.
163
I want to live in a big city.
164
The interior of the hill is solid rock.
165
She is my friend, my coworker.
166
I've heard barley is yielding fruit in Sisku's field.
167
You're a dog.
168
Juanito has four sisters.
169
What a pain!
170
Greetings from the family.
171
Who loves you?
172
Listen to me, please.
173
man, male
174
woman
175
girl
176
teacher
177
pupil, student
178
mother
179
father
180
brother of a woman
181
sister of a woman
182
son of a man
183
daughter of a man
184
husband
185
grandmother
186
grandfather, grandparent, old man
187
grandchild
188
uncle
189
he, she, it
190
they
191
who
192
one
193
two
194
three
195
four
196
six
197
seven
198
eight
199
nine
200
ten
201
eleven
202
twelve
203
twenty
204
thirty
205
hundred
206
thousand
207
half
208
human body
209
head, top
210
face, cheek
211
eye, sight
212
ear
213
nose
214
mouth
215
tooth
216
tongue
217
neck, throat
218
arm
219
hand
220
finger
221
breast (milk producing organ)
222
belly, stomach, womb
223
back (body part)
224
leg
225
foot, leg
226
skin, leather, bark, peel, hide
227
bone
228
blood
229
heart
230
food, meal
231
water
232
bread
233
meat, flesh
234
fish
235
egg
236
salt
237
sugar
238
rice
239
potato
240
banana
241
apple
242
fruit, seed, pit
243
onion
244
porridge, soup, pudding
245
soup
246
flour of toasted maize, wheat, or carob
247
peanut
248
domesticated animal
249
dog
250
cat
251
sheep
252
pig, swine, hog
253
horse
254
donkey
255
chicken, hen
256
rooster
257
bird, crow, hen
258
mouse
259
monkey
260
snake, serpent, viper
261
frog
262
lizard
263
turtle
264
fly, mosquito, bee
265
bee
266
spider
267
worm, caterpillar
268
louse
269
bear
270
fox
271
deer
272
eagle
273
owl
274
sun
275
moon
276
star
277
sky
278
cloud, fog
279
rain
280
wind, air
281
lightning, ray
282
fire for cooking, candle, match
283
ash, soot
284
land, earth, dust, ground, soil, terrain, field
285
sand
286
rock, stone
287
mountain, hill, peak, cone, pyramid
288
river
289
lake
290
ocean, sea
291
island
292
ice
293
snow, ice
294
tree, bush, plant
295
page, paper, leaf
296
flower
297
road, path, way, street
298
light, brightness
299
darkness, lack of light
300
shadow, shade
301
house, building
302
door, entrance
303
wall, fence
304
roof
305
bed
306
seat, chair, stool, bench
307
table
308
pot for cooking
309
plate
310
ceramic cup
311
spoon
312
knife
313
basket
314
blanket, cover, bedding
315
hat, cap, helmet, headband, veil
316
money
317
book
318
car
319
bicycle
320
boat, ship, raft, float
321
airplane, aircraft
322
arrow, spear
323
axe
324
shovel, hoe, mattock
325
rope, cord, chain, band, strap
326
large needle for sewing or fastening
327
mirror, crystal, glasses
328
broom
329
village
330
town, city, place
331
store, shop
332
school, elementary school
333
church
334
hospital
335
prison
336
specific time or space (incl. any time period or time unit,…
337
night, darkness
338
morning
339
afternoon
340
week
341
year
342
already, now
343
season, weather, period
344
red
345
black, black or blue
346
white
347
green
348
blue
349
yellow, orange
350
brown, hazel- or chestnut-colored
351
gray, ashen, light blue
352
big, tall, grand, high, large, long, great, important
353
small
354
little, few
355
long, big, large
356
good, fine, okay, nice, right
357
beautiful, nice
358
new
359
young
360
hot, burning
361
cold
362
warm
363
dry
364
heavy
365
full
366
strong, brave, hardy, healthy
367
landless, poor, orphaned, needy
368
happy, pleased, glad, delighted
369
sad
370
tired
371
thirsty
372
clean
373
dirty
374
sweet
375
bitter
376
true, certain, evident, positive
377
right
378
left
379
distant, remote, far-off
380
upper, high, elevated, superior
381
easy to understand
382
difficult, hard to understand
383
To come, to advance toward
384
to go
385
to eat
386
to drink
387
to sleep
388
to sit, to rest
389
to stop, to halt, to stand
390
to go, to walk, to travel
391
to dance, to jump
392
to swim, to wallow in mud
393
to see, to look after
394
to watch, to observe
395
to hear, to listen
396
to speak, to talk, to express
397
to converse, talk
398
to ask, to ask a question
399
to answer, reply
400
to call
401
to know, recognize
402
to remember, to think, to think about
403
to know, to learn, to realize, to find out
404
to teach
405
to read
406
to count
407
to want, will
408
to love tenderly or passionately, to caress
409
to hate; to abhor
410
to fear
411
to give
412
to bring, fetch
413
to carry
414
to buy, to purchase
415
to sell
416
to play
417
to sing
418
to laugh, smile
419
to cry, to weep
420
to open
421
to close, shut
422
to begin, start
423
to wait, to expect
424
to help, cooperate, collaborate, care for
425
to find
426
to get lost, lose one's way, disappear
427
to look for, seek
428
to cook, prepare
429
to wash, clean
430
to cut with a knife, not with scissors
431
to break, tear
432
to throw, to hurl
433
to catch, to grab
434
to pull, drag
435
to push, to impel
436
to put, place, lay, set
437
to fall
438
to climb, ride a horse, ascend, appear
439
to kill, murder
440
to die, perish
441
to live
442
to be born, appear
443
to grow, sprout, develop
444
to plant, to sow
445
to dig, dig up, dig out, excavate; to harvest tubers
446
to burn
447
to boil a liquid
448
to fill, satisfy
449
to send, to send a person
450
to return
451
to arrive
452
to leave, abandon, let be, allow
453
to go in, enter, come in
454
to visit
455
to bind, marry
456
to steal, to rob
457
to beat, box, hit
458
to bite, sting
459
to blow
460
to smell, to sniff
461
to taste, to try (as in food)
462
to touch, caress, fondle
463
to show, expose, present, reveal
464
to hide, cover
465
to follow, drive, lead
466
to defeat, win, escape
467
to remember, think about, think over, mull
468
to choose, select, elect
469
to sew
470
To weave
471
to hunt
472
to sweep, clean, erase, clear, wipe
473
name, title
474
song, singing, music
475
thing, something
476
death, afterlife
477
God
478
spirit, soul
479
illness, sickness
480
medicine
481
order, law, rule
A1.1Beginner · Foundations
1. What is Quechua?
Quechua is a family of closely related indigenous languages native to the Andes region of South America. It was the administrative language of the Inca Empire (Tawantinsuyu) and today remains one of the most widely spoken indigenous language families in the Americas, with roughly 8–10 million speakers.
Quechua is spoken primarily in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, and Chile. It holds official or co-official status in Peru and Bolivia.
Varieties
Quechua is not one single language but a continuum of varieties. The most commonly taught and standardised variety is Southern Quechua (Cusco-Collao), spoken around Cusco, Ayacucho, Puno, and Bolivia. This guide focuses primarily on Southern Quechua.
A1.2Beginner · Building Basics
Why learn Quechua?
Inca civilisation — direct connection to one of history's great empires.
Cultural immersion — Andean communities maintain rich traditions entirely expressed in Quechua.
Linguistic uniqueness — evidentiality, agglutination, and a tri-vowel system make Quechua a fascinating study.
Revitalisation movement — Quechua is experiencing a cultural renaissance in Peru and Bolivia.
Global vocabulary — words like condor, llama, puma, potato, quinoa all come from Quechua.
2. Pronunciation Guide
Quechua uses only three vowels (a, i, u) in standard Southern Quechua. The consonant system includes sounds not found in English.
A2.1Elementary · Everyday Language
Vowels
Letter
Sound
Note
a
/a/ (father)
consistent
i
/i/ (feet)
sounds like /e/ near uvulars (q, qq)
u
/u/ (food)
sounds like /o/ near uvulars
Key Consonants
Letter
Description
Example
q
Uvular stop — deep throaty k (like Arabic qaf)
qan (you), Qusqu (Cusco)
ch
/tʃ/ (church)
chay (that)
ll
/ʎ/ or /j/ (varies by region)
llaqta (town)
ñ
/ɲ/ (canyon)
ñuqa (I)
ph / th / chh
Aspirated stops (breathy burst)
phata (broken)
p' / t' / k'
Ejective stops (glottalised)
p'acha (clothing)
r
Flap /ɾ/ — like Spanish r
rumi (stone)
Stress falls on the penultimate syllable in most cases.
3. Grammar
A2.2Elementary · Expanding Range
Word Order: SOV
Quechua uses Subject–Object–Verb order. The verb always comes last:
Ñuqa tantata mikuni. — I eat bread. (lit. I bread eat.)
Agglutination
Quechua builds complex meaning by stacking suffixes onto root words:
Form
Meaning
wasi
house
wasiyki
your house
wasiykipi
in your house
wasiykipim
apparently in your house (I saw it)
B1.1Intermediate · Independent Use
Evidentiality
Quechua grammatically encodes how the speaker knows something — a unique feature for English speakers:
Suffix
Meaning
Example
-mi / -m
Direct knowledge — I saw/know this myself
Pay hamunmi — He is coming (I saw him)
-si / -s
Hearsay — someone told me
Pay hamunsi — They say he is coming
-chá
Uncertainty — maybe / I think
Pay hamunchá — Maybe he is coming
Personal Pronouns
English
Quechua
I
ñuqa
you
qan
he / she
pay
we (inclusive)
ñuqanchik
we (exclusive)
ñuqayku
you (plural)
qankuna
they
paykuna
Common Suffixes
Suffix
Function
Example
-kuna
Plural
wasikuna (houses)
-pi
Locative — in/at
llaqtapi (in the town)
-ta
Accusative — object marker
tantata (bread — as object)
-manta
Ablative — from
Limamanta (from Lima)
-wan
Comitative — with
paywan (with him/her)
-paq
Purposive — for
mikuypaq (for eating)
A1
Practice: Quechua present-tense verb endings
Practice: the present-tense personal endings that attach directly to a verb stem — -ni (I), -nki (you), -n (s/he), -nchik (we incl.), -nkichik (you pl.), -nku (they). Quechua verbs are fully regular, so one paradigm fits all. Type only the missing ending.. Type the missing word — Latin accents are optional.
1.Ñuqa miku
Hint: 1st person singular present ending
2.Qan miku
Hint: 2nd person singular present ending
3. miku
Hint: 3rd person singular present ending
4.Ñuqanchik miku
Hint: 1st person plural inclusive ending
5. miku
Hint: 3rd person plural ending
6.Ñuqa puri
Hint: 1st person singular present ending
7.Qan puri
Hint: 2nd person singular present ending
8.Pay puri
Hint: 3rd person singular present ending
9.Qankuna puri
Hint: 2nd person plural present ending
10.Paykuna puri
Hint: 3rd person plural ending
10 questions
Grammar reference: Southern (Cusco-Collao) Quechua present-tense paradigm per A. Cusihuamán, Gramática Quechua Cuzco-Collao (Ministerio de Educación, Perú; 2nd ed. CBC, 2001); verb stems miku- 'eat' and puri- 'walk' and the pronoun set follow this guide's own §3 grammar tables. All sentences original to LinguaCommons.. Sentences are original to LinguaCommons.
B1.2Intermediate · Connected Language
5. Learning Tips
Pick one variety first — Southern Quechua (Cusco/Ayacucho) has the most materials.
Embrace agglutination — Learn roots and suffixes separately; don't memorise every combination.
Practice evidentiality early — It's unusual for English speakers but fundamental to natural Quechua.
Three vowels only — Don't import English vowel sounds. Practice a, i, u until natural.
Uvulars and ejectives — The q (uvular) and ejective consonants (p', t', k') need specific practice with recordings.
Pair language with culture — Andean music, weaving, festivals, and food all reinforce vocabulary.
B2.1Upper-Intermediate · Fluency & Nuance
6. Learning Resources
Runasiminet (quechua.org.pe) — community resources and lessons.
YouTube: "Aprende Quechua" — channels with beginner Quechua lessons.
Peace Corps Peru Materials — free downloadable Quechua course materials.
Academia Mayor de la Lengua Quechua — official Quechua academy in Cusco.
Anki — search AnkiWeb for community Quechua vocabulary decks.
Duolingo — check for any available Quechua course.
B2.2Upper-Intermediate · Consolidation
7. Culture & Context
Pachamama
Pachamama (Mother Earth) is central to Andean cosmology. Rituals, offerings, and agriculture are tied to living in balance with the earth.
The Inca Road System
The Qhapaq Ñan (Royal Road) was over 30,000 km of roads connecting the Inca Empire.1 The word ñan (road/path) carries deep cultural meaning.
Quechua words in global use
Quechua has given the world: condor, llama, puma, coca, potato (papa), quinoa, guano, jerky (ch'arki). Recognising these makes Quechua feel familiar.
Notes
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, "Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System," accessed June 2, 2026, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1459/. ↩
Bibliography
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. "Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System." Accessed June 2, 2026. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1459/.
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