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Lesson 3 of 10
Yes, no and the essentials in Quechua
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Quechua words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Quechua phrases in this lesson
- AriAH-ree
- Yes
- ManaMAH-nah
- No
- AllinmiAH-yeen-mee
- Okay
- Mana hamut'anichuMAH-nah hah-moo-TAH-nee-choo
- I don't understand
- Inglés simita rimankichu?een-GLES SEE-mee-tah ree-MAHN-kee-choo
- Do you speak English?
- Huktawan niyhook-TAH-wahn NEE
- Can you repeat that?
- Pisi pisillamantaPEE-see pee-SEE-yah-MAN-tah
- Slowly, please
- Imataq kay?ee-MAH-tahk KAI
- What is this?
- ...munanimoo-NAH-nee
- I need...
- Yanapawankimanchu?yah-nah-pah-WAN-kee-mahn-choo
- Can you help me?
Simple and clear. Quechua has no long-form yes; ari is it, always. Emphasis comes from tone.
The negation word. "Mana sulpayki" (thanks, but no) softens refusal. Mana plus -chu turns statements into questions.
Literally "it is good".
Literally "do you speak the English language?". Spanish is the safer fallback.
Literally "say it once more".
Literally "little by little".
Literally "I want ...".
Literally "could you help me?".