Useful Quechua and Spanish Phrases for Your Cusco Trip

Quechua is still spoken by millions across the Andean region. You don't need to master it, but a few words spark genuine smiles from locals, guides and communities.

Basic Quechua greetings

• Napaykullayki — Hello / I greet you (formal).
• Allillanchu? — How are you?
• Allillanmi, Diospagarasunki — I'm well, thank you.
• Ratukama — See you later.

Useful phrases for markets and tours

• Añay / Sulpayki — Thank you (variants depending on the area).
• Hayk'ataq? — How much does it cost?
• Ama hina kaychu — Please.
• Allin p'unchay — Good morning.

Words you've already heard without knowing it

• Apu: sacred mountain (Ausangate, for instance, is an apu).
• Pachamama: Mother Earth, central to Andean cosmovision.
• Wayki / Panay: brother / sister, used affectionately among locals.

Basic Spanish if you don't speak it

If your Quechua doesn't go beyond the greeting, Spanish remains the main language to get around Cusco:

• ¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much is it?) — for markets and taxis.
• ¿Dónde está el baño? (Where's the restroom?) — survival phrase #1.
• No entiendo, ¿puede repetir? (I don't understand, can you repeat?) — useful with strong regional accents.
• La cuenta, por favor (The check, please) — at restaurants.

Why the effort is worth it

Using even a couple of Quechua words with guides, mule handlers or market vendors tends to create a different connection — it reads as a gesture of respect for the culture, not just tourist curiosity.

Want an experience with guides who speak Quechua and share their culture firsthand? Check our tours.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to speak Quechua to travel to Cusco?

No, Spanish is enough to get around normally; Quechua is a cultural bonus, not a necessity.

Do all Cusco locals speak Quechua?

Many are bilingual (Quechua-Spanish), especially in rural communities; in the city, Spanish predominates.

Are there regional differences in Quechua?

Yes, regional variants of Quechua exist; Cusco's is one of the most widely spoken and recognizable.