Body Parts

1. Uma

   Head

   Usage

   "Uma nanawan" = my head hurts; also used to report altitude-sickness symptoms

2. Chukcha

   Hair

   Usage

   The hair on your head. Braid styles carry regional meaning, so compliment them with words rather than touching

3. Uya

   Face

   Usage

   The high-altitude sun burns faces fast; useful when asking about sunburn

4. Ñawi

   Eye

   Usage

   The same word is used for the eyes of a potato, so it comes up in market talk

5. Ninri

   Ear

   Usage

   Use it when your ears block crossing a high pass; some areas say rinri

6. Sinqa

   Nose

   Usage

   Dry high-altitude air causes nosebleeds. "Sinqaymanta yawar lluqsishan" = my nose is bleeding

7. Simi

   Mouth

   Usage

   The same word means "language"; Quechua calls itself Runasimi, "the people's tongue"

8. Kiru

   Tooth

   Usage

   Point at the tooth while showing this. "Kiruy nanawan" = my tooth hurts

9. Qallu

   Tongue

   Usage

   The initial q is a uvular sound made far back in the throat, distinct from k

10. Kunka

    Neck

    Usage

    The same word also means "voice"; for pain on swallowing use Tunqur

11. Tunqur

    Throat

    Usage

    The inside of the throat; easily irritated in dry highland air

12. Rikra

    Shoulder

    Usage

    Point to it when a heavy pack has hurt it; in some areas it can cover the whole arm

13. Maki

    Hand / arm

    Usage

    Quechua usually covers hand and arm with one word; point if you need to narrow it down

14. Ruk'ana

    Finger

    Usage

    The k' is ejective: a popped consonant, different from plain k

15. Sillu

    Nail

    Usage

    Nail colour can show oxygen shortage at altitude; if they look blue, see a doctor

16. Qhasqu

    Chest

    Usage

    The qh is aspirated with a strong puff of air. Chest pain at altitude is urgent

17. Sunqu

    Heart

    Usage

    "Sunqu unquyniyuqmi kani" = I have a heart condition. The same word means "heart" in the emotional sense: "allin sunquyuq" is a kind-hearted person

18. Surq'an

    Lung

    Usage

    Useful when explaining breathlessness at altitude; "Mana samayta atinichu" = I cannot breathe well

19. Wiksa

    Belly / stomach

    Usage

    The belly in general. Note "wiksayuqmi kani" means "I am pregnant"; for a stomach ache say "wiksay nanawan"

20. Ch'unchul

    Intestines

    Usage

    The ch' is ejective. The word also survives in Andean Spanish as the name of a tripe dish

21. Wasa

    Back

    Usage

    The whole back; the waist and lower back is Wiqaw

22. Wiqaw

    Waist / lower back

    Usage

    Easily strained after carrying a pack

23. Chaki

    Leg / foot

    Usage

    One word for both leg and foot. "Chakiywan purini" = I go on foot

24. Qunqur

    Knee

    Usage

    Easily hurt on the descents of the Inca trails; poles help

25. Qara

    Skin

    Usage

    Also the word for animal hide. High-altitude sun cracks skin, so keep it moisturised

26. Tullu

    Bone

    Usage

    "Tulluy p'akikun" = I have broken a bone

27. Yawar

    Blood

    Usage

    "Yawarniy lluqsishan" = I am bleeding

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