Basic Nouns

1. Yaku

   Water

   Usage

   Ask for drinking water; pair it with “bottle” if you want sealed water

2. Mikhuna

   Food

   Usage

   The general word for food; useful when hunting for somewhere to eat

3. Qullqi

   Money

   Usage

   The base word for paying and changing currency

4. Hisp'ana wasi

   Toilet

   Usage

   Combine it with the “where” question

5. Pañuelo

   Tissue

   Usage

   Many toilets have no paper — use this word to buy some

   Grammar Note

   A loan from Spanish "pañuelo" (handkerchief).

6. Hampi

   Medicine

   Usage

   At a pharmacy; combine it with gestures for your symptom

7. Q'ipi

   Luggage

   Usage

   For checking in, carrying on, or reporting lost bags

8. Llavi

   Key

   Usage

   At hotel reception when collecting or returning it

   Grammar Note

   A loan from Spanish "llave" (key).

9. Buletu

   Ticket

   Usage

   Covers both transport tickets and admission tickets

   Grammar Note

   A loan from Spanish "boleto" (ticket).

10. Pasaporti

    Passport

    Usage

    Comes up at check-in, currency exchange, and any police check

11. Telefonu

    Phone

    Usage

    When you need to borrow one or ask for a number

12. Kargadur

    Charger

    Usage

    To borrow one at a hotel or café, or buy one in a shop

    Grammar Note

    A loan from Spanish "cargador."

13. Istasyun

    Station

    Usage

    A landmark word when asking for directions

    Grammar Note

    A loan from Spanish "estación."

14. Hampina wasi

    Hospital

    Usage

    The first word you need if you fall ill

15. Polisiya

    Police

    Usage

    For theft or accidents; combine it with “where?”

16. Qhatu

    Shop

    Usage

    When looking for somewhere to buy something

    Grammar Note

    "Qhatu" is the native word for a market or stall; for a modern shop the Spanish-derived "tinda" is also used.

17. Kuwartu

    Room

    Usage

    Use it when asking a hotel about vacancies

    Grammar Note

    A loan from Spanish "cuarto" (room).

18. Ñan

    Road

    Usage

    The base word when asking the way

19. Ayllu

    Family

    Usage

    A guaranteed small-talk topic; showing photos goes a long way

    Grammar Note

    "Ayllu" names a kin-and-land community; it is broader than the English word "family."

20. Suti

    Name

    Usage

    For introductions and for giving your name at a counter

21. Uma

    Head

    Usage

    A body part to point at when something hurts

22. Ñawi

    Eye

    Usage

    A body part to point at when something hurts

23. Kiru

    Tooth

    Usage

    When you need a dentist

24. Tunqur

    Throat

    Usage

    A body part to point at when something hurts

25. Wiksa

    Belly

    Usage

    For stomach ache or food poisoning

26. Wasa

    Back

    Usage

    A body part to point at when something hurts

27. Wiqaw

    Lower back

    Usage

    A body part to point at when something hurts

28. Chaki

    Leg / foot

    Usage

    A body part to point at when something hurts

29. Maki

    Hand

    Usage

    "Maki" covers both hand and arm — point at the exact spot on your body

30. Qhasqu

    Chest

    Usage

    For chest pain or trouble breathing

31. Samana wasi

    Hotel

    Usage

    To name your destination to a driver or a passer-by

32. Aeropuerto

    Airport

    Usage

    To name your destination to a driver or a passer-by

33. Bus sayana

    Bus stop

    Usage

    When asking where to catch a bus

34. Embajada

    Embassy

    Usage

    Where to head after a lost passport or a crime

35. Cajero automático

    ATM

    Usage

    To ask where you can withdraw cash

36. Cambio wasi

    Currency exchange

    Usage

    To ask where money can be changed

37. T'aqsana wasi

    Laundry

    Usage

    When you need clothes washed on a long trip

38. Consulado

    Consulate

    Usage

    Where to go after a lost passport or a crime; the Spanish form, as with Embajada

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