Compliments

1. Sumaqmi mikhunata ruwarqanki

   Su-maq-mi mi-khu-na-ta ru-war-qan-ki

   You made a very delicious meal

   Usage

   Praising someone for preparing a delicious meal

   Grammar Note

   ruwana means "to make/do". -rqanki is the 2nd-person singular past ending

2. Kay llaqtaqa sumaqmi

   Kay llaq-ta-qa su-maq-mi

   This city is very beautiful

   Usage

   Praising the beauty of a city; especially apt for historic places like Cusco

   Grammar Note

   -qa is the topic marker, functionally similar to Japanese は, highlighting the subject of discussion

3. Allinmi Quechuata rimanki

   Al-lin-mi Que-chu-a-ta ri-man-ki

   You speak Quechua well

   Usage

   A compliment often given to travelers learning Quechua

   Grammar Note

   rimay means "to speak". -nki is the 2nd-person singular present. allin is key in Andean philosophy (sumaq kawsay)

4. Kusimi kani kay llaqtapiqa

   Ku-si-mi ka-ni kay llaq-ta-pi-qa

   I am very happy to be in this town

   Usage

   Expressing gratitude and joy about being in a particular place

   Grammar Note

   kusi expresses contentment/happiness. It relates to the Andean concept of sumaq kawsay (good living)

5. Allinta cuidawarqanki, sulpayki

   Al-lin-ta cui-da-war-qan-ki, sul-pay-ki

   Thank you for taking good care of me

   Usage

   Thanking a host; in Andean culture, reciprocity (ayni) and community care are deeply valued

   Grammar Note

   cuiday is borrowed from Spanish cuidar (to take care), fully integrated into Quechua morphology

6. P'achaykikunam sumaq

   P'a-chay-ki-ku-na-m su-maq

   Your clothes are beautiful

   Usage

   Complimenting someone's clothes; also used to admire colorful Andean traditional dress

   Grammar Note

   p'acha is the native Quechua word for "clothing/cloth". -kuna is the plural suffix for nouns

7. Allintam rimay yachanki

   Al-lin-tam ri-may ya-chan-ki

   You speak Quechua well

   Usage

   A compliment on Quechua language skills; often said to learners or knowledgeable speakers

   Grammar Note

   rimay means "to speak/say". yachay means "to know/be able". -nki marks 2nd-person singular ("rimay yachanki" = you can speak)

8. Ancha sumaqta llamk'anki

   An-cha su-maq-ta llam-k'an-ki

   You work very wonderfully

   Usage

   Praising someone's craftsmanship or work ethic; labor is honored in Andean culture

   Grammar Note

   llamk'ay means "to work/labor". Adding -ta to an adjective makes it adverbial: sumaqta = "beautifully"

9. Kay llaqtayki ancha kusimi

   Kay llaq-tay-ki an-cha ku-si-mi

   Your town is very lively

   Usage

   Praising the vibrancy and energy of a place you are visiting

   Grammar Note

   kusi means "joy/happiness/lively". llaqta (town) + -yki (your) is a common possessive compound

10. Allin sunquyuqmi kanki

    Al-lin sun-quy-uq-mi kan-ki

    You have a good heart

    Usage

    Praising someone's kindness in a culturally resonant Quechua way

    Grammar Note

    sunquyuq means "one who has a heart". -yuq is the possessive suffix meaning "having/with"

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