Language Learning

1. Quechua simiyta yachakuyta munani.

   Quechua si-miy-ta ya-cha-kuy-ta mu-na-ni.

   I want to learn the Quechua language

   Usage

   Expressing desire to learn the Quechua language

   Grammar Note

   "simi" means "mouth/language" in Quechua; "yachakuy" means "to learn/study"

2. Kay simita imaynatan rimanki?

   Kay si-mi-ta i-may-na-tan ri-man-ki?

   How do you pronounce this word?

   Usage

   Asking about the pronunciation of a Quechua word

   Grammar Note

   "imaynatan" asks "how"; "rimay" is "to speak/say" and takes "-nki" for the 2nd person singular, giving "rimanki". The object takes the accusative "-ta" ("-wan" means "together with" and does not belong here). The old "rimasunki" carries "-sunki" (3rd-person subject on a 2nd-person object), which read "the word speaks to you"

3. Ñuqawan Quechua rimayta yanapawankichu?

   Ñu-qa-wan Quechua ri-may-ta ya-na-pa-wan-ki-chu?

   Will you help me practice speaking Quechua?

   Usage

   Asking a native speaker to help you practice Quechua conversation

   Grammar Note

   "yanapa-" is the help verb root; "-wa" marks me as beneficiary; "-nki" is second-person future

4. Kay simiqa imaynatan Quechuapi nin?

   Kay si-mi-qa i-may-na-tan Qu-e-chu-a-pi nin?

   How do you say this word in Quechua?

   Usage

   Asking how to say something in Quechua

   Grammar Note

   "nin" is the third-person form of "to say" in Quechua; a fundamental verb for language learning

5. Allinllatam rimani, icha?

   Al-linl-la-tam ri-ma-ni, i-cha?

   Am I speaking correctly?

   Usage

   Checking whether you are speaking Quechua correctly

   Grammar Note

   "icha" is a Quechua question particle seeking confirmation, equivalent to "right?" in English

6. Astawan mana usqhayta rimawankichu?

   As-ta-wan ma-na us-qhay-ta ri-ma-wan-ki-chu?

   Could you speak a little more slowly?

   Usage

   Asking a native speaker to slow down for better comprehension

   Grammar Note

   "mana usqhayta" = "not quickly" (usqhay "fast" + adverbial -ta) expresses "slowly". "rimawankichu" = rimay (to speak) + -wa- (to me) + -nki (you) + -chu (question). "ñawirichiy" means "to make (someone) read" and has no "slowly" sense

7. Mana hamut'anichu — huk kutillata niway.

   Ma-na ha-mut'-a-ni-chu — huk ku-til-la-ta ni-way.

   I don't understand — please repeat

   Usage

   Asking for a repeat when you don't understand something in Quechua

   Grammar Note

   "mana…-chu" is the negation frame; "hamut'ay" means "to understand". "huk kutillata niway" = "just once more (huk kuti + -lla + -ta), tell me (niy 'to say' + -wa- 'to me')", the same pattern as "Huk kutillata yachachiway ari" in martial_arts

8. Quechua simiqa ancha sumaqmi.

   Quechua si-mi-qa an-cha su-maq-mi.

   The Quechua language is very beautiful

   Usage

   Expressing admiration for the Quechua language

   Grammar Note

   "ancha" is the Quechua intensifier "very"; "sumaq" expresses beauty or excellence

9. Yachachiqta maskani.

   Ya-cha-chi-q-ta mas-ka-ni.

   I am looking for a teacher

   Usage

   Looking for a Quechua language teacher or tutor

   Grammar Note

   "yachachiq" = "yachachi" (to teach) + agentive "-q" = "one who teaches/teacher"

10. Iskay Quechua simillata yachani.

    Is-kay Quechua si-mil-la-ta ya-cha-ni.

    I only know two Quechua words

    Usage

    Humbly admitting you are just beginning to learn Quechua

    Grammar Note

    "iskay" (two) is a basic Quechua numeral. "simi-lla-ta" = "word (simi) + only (-lla) + accusative (-ta)". "Only" is expressed with "-lla"; "kama" means "until/up to" and is not used

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