Learn Quechua with us (First edition)
- Francesca Servalli
- Feb 29, 2020
- 2 min read
The majority of the young people we work with speak Quechua as their mother-tongue. Quechua is a beautiful language in which each word is loaded with culture and meaning.
This month, we decided to develop a Quechua campaign and publish a word or phrase in Quechua each day. From the city of Cusco, our wonderful tutors, Tania and Marleny, who are Certified Bilingual Translators, helped us with the 29 words. Take a look!
Marq'arikuy: Hug
Imaynalla Kashanki: How are you? (This is he common greeting in Quechua. There is no literal translation for "hello.")
Tupananchiskama: Until we meet again. (This is the common farewell. The concept of not meeting the other person ever again doesn't exist.)
Ama hinachu kay: Please (There is no literal translation for "Please". Ama hinachu kay is a very loving way of saying "don't be like that".)
Añay: Thank you. (In Quechua, pronunciation and intonation is very important. If, instead of saying Añay one says "Añay!" the meaning changes from "Thank you" to "This is greatness".)
Qespichiy: I'm sorry. (There are several ways of apologizing. Qespichiy means "I'm sorry, help me improve." Penqachiy means "I'm sorry, I'm embarrassed." And Panpachay means "Please, forgive my mistakes.")
Kusikuy: Congratulations.
Sumac kusichasqa punchau kachun: Have a beautiful and happy day. (This is also a very loving way of wishing someone a happy birthday.)
Friend: Wayqey (man to man), Panay (man to woman), Ñañay (woman to woman), Turay (woman to man)
Khuyaykuyki: I miss you
K'iranakuyki: I support you (emotionally). Yanapakuyki means "I support you professionally - I offer you my work."
Umanchayki: I understand you
Qhawariyki: I take care of you. (It comes from the word Qhawariy, which means "I see you, with my whole being.")
Munankichu oqllanayta?: Do you want a hug? (The word Oqllay means "to warm and give shelter.")
Munakuyki: I love you
Kusiska Kashanki: I'm happy
Añanchaska kashanki kanwan: I'm thankful to you. (In Quechua, it's important to specify if you are grateful to a situation or a person.)
Ancha kusicuypi kani: I'm excited
Kusinchasqa Kani: I feel proud.
Allin Kashani: I feel really good.
Thak Kashani: I'm at peace
Llanqayta Munani: I want to work
Allinta Kayta Ruwani: I'm really good at this.
Yachayta Munani: I want to learn
Ancha Yuyayniyoq kani: I'm very talented
Allin runa kani: I'm a good person
Ima hayqa munascayta hunt'achisaq: I'll achieve my dreams
Astawan munani kanchariyta: I want to be better (The literal translation of this phrase is: "I want to shine more".)
Kausayninchista munakuni: I love life.
