Nightlife

10 phrases · Quechua with romanization, English and audio

  1. Kaypi allim cantinata yachanki?

    Kay-pi al-lim can-ti-na-ta ya-chan-ki?

    Do you know a good bar around here?

    Usage

    Asking a local about a good place to drink or go out at night

    Grammar Note

    yachay means "to know/learn". -nki is the 2nd-person singular present ending

  2. Salud! Chichata ukyasunchis!

    Sa-lud! Chi-cha-ta u-kya-sun-chis!

    Cheers! Let us drink chicha!

    Usage

    Toasting with chicha, the traditional Andean fermented corn drink

    Grammar Note

    -sunchis forms the inclusive hortative "let us (all of us) do". Chicha is central to Andean culture

  3. Imahoras sirranka kay cantina?

    I-ma-ho-ras sir-ran-ka kay can-ti-na?

    What time does this bar close?

    Usage

    Asking about closing time at a bar or venue

    Grammar Note

    sirranka derives from Spanish cerrar (to close), nativized with Quechua future suffix -nka

  4. Hukta aswan quway

    Huk-ta as-wan qu-way

    Give me one more

    Usage

    Ordering another drink at a bar

    Grammar Note

    aswan means "more/further" and is also used in comparative expressions

  5. Tusunchis!

    Tu-sun-chis!

    Let us dance!

    Usage

    Inviting someone to dance; music and dance are central to Andean nightlife and festivals

    Grammar Note

    tusuy is "to dance". -nchis is the inclusive hortative: "let all of us (including you) dance"

  6. Inti Raymi k'anchay qhawananchispaqmi

    In-ti Ray-mi k'an-chay qha-wa-nan-chis-paq-mi

    We came to see the Inti Raymi festival

    Usage

    Expressing excitement about attending Inti Raymi, the greatest Quechua festival

    Grammar Note

    Inti means "sun"; Raymi means "festival/celebration". This festival is held in Cusco every June

  7. Allin tutami kanki

    Al-lin tu-ta-mi kan-ki

    Good evening / Have a good night

    Usage

    A farewell greeting used at the end of an evening

    Grammar Note

    tuta is the native Quechua word for "night". Used for nighttime activities and greetings

  8. Kay chicha imaynallataq?

    Kay chi-cha i-may-nal-la-taq?

    What is this chicha like?

    Usage

    Asking about the taste or type of chicha being served

    Grammar Note

    imaynallataq is a compound question: imayna (how/what like) + lla (just) + taq (also/then)

  9. Huktam mañakuni

    Huk-tam ma-ña-ku-ni

    I would like another one

    Usage

    Ordering another round of drinks

    Grammar Note

    mañakuy means "to ask for/request" (mañakuni = I ask for). huk-ta-m = "one" + accusative -ta + evidential -m. "To search" is maskay, so askiy/askini is not used

  10. Sumaq tutami karqan

    Su-maq tu-ta-mi kar-qan

    It was a wonderful night

    Usage

    Expressing satisfaction after a wonderful evening out

    Grammar Note

    sumaq is the versatile adjective "beautiful/good/wonderful". karqan is the completive past of kay (to be)

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