Sustainability & Eco

10 phrases · Quechua with romanization, English and audio

  1. Maypim kay reciclayta atini?

    may-PIM kay re-ci-CLAY-ta a-TI-ni

    Where can I recycle this?

    Usage

    Used when asking where to recycle waste or items

    Grammar Note

    Quechua uses SOV word order with verbs at the end; -m/-mi is the evidentiality marker for direct knowledge

  2. Kutin kutin usanapaq q'ipita charinkichu?

    KU-tin KU-tin u-sa-na-PAQ Q'I-pi-ta cha-RIN-ki-chu

    Do you have reusable bags?

    Usage

    Used in markets or shops to ask about reusable bags

    Grammar Note

    -chu is the Quechua suffix that marks questions and negations

  3. Kaypichu tiyashan pachamamata cuidaq samasqawasi?

    kay-PI-chu ti-ya-SHAN pa-cha-ma-MA-ta cui-DAQ sa-mas-qa-WA-si

    Is there eco-friendly accommodation here?

    Usage

    Used when looking for accommodation that respects Andean nature

    Grammar Note

    Pachamama is a central concept in Andean cosmology meaning "Mother Earth"

  4. Yakuwan botellayta hunt'achiyta munani.

    ya-KU-wan bo-te-LLA-y-ta hun-t'a-CHIY-ta mu-NA-ni

    I'd like to refill my water bottle.

    Usage

    Used to avoid single-use plastic by asking to refill a reusable bottle

    Grammar Note

    Quechua verb suffixes encode person and volition; munani means "I want to"

  5. Uywamanta mana mikhuna tiyanchu?

    uy-wa-MAN-ta MA-na mi-KHU-na ti-YAN-chu

    Are there vegetarian or vegan food options?

    Usage

    Used at markets or restaurants to communicate dietary restrictions

    Grammar Note

    -manta is the ablative suffix in Quechua meaning "from" or "of"

  6. Imaynatan transporte publicopi riyta atini?

    i-MAY-na-tan trans-POR-te PU-bli-co-pi RIY-ta a-TI-ni

    How can I take public transport to...?

    Usage

    Used when asking how to travel to a destination without a private car

    Grammar Note

    "-pi" marks "by/in", here the means of travel (by public transport). Add or point to the destination. "riyta atini" = "I can go"

  7. Maypim aswan qayllapi llaqtaypaq qhatun?

    may-PIM as-WAN qay-LLA-pi llaq-TAY-paq qha-TUN

    Where is the nearest local market?

    Usage

    Used when wanting to buy locally grown produce directly

    Grammar Note

    -paq is the benefactive/purposive case suffix in Quechua meaning "for" or "belonging to"

  8. Ama achka empaquetawaychu.

    a-MA ach-KA em-pa-que-ta-way-CHU

    Please use minimal packaging.

    Usage

    Used to decline excess packaging and reduce waste

    Grammar Note

    Ama + verb is the Quechua structure for polite prohibition or negative request

  9. Ima pachamamapaq actividadkuna kan kaypi?

    i-MA pa-cha-ma-ma-PAQ ac-ti-vi-dad-ku-na KAN kay-PI

    What eco-tourism activities are available here?

    Usage

    Used when looking for tourism that preserves Andean nature and culture

    Grammar Note

    Pachamama is used metaphorically for ecological concepts in modern Quechua speech

  10. Carbono huellayta compensayta munani.

    car-BO-no hue-lla-y-ta com-pen-SAY-ta mu-NA-ni

    I want to offset my carbon footprint.

    Usage

    Used to express the will to compensate for travel-related carbon emissions

    Grammar Note

    Quechua has no native term for carbon offsetting, so the Spanish carbono / huella / compensar are borrowed and given Quechua suffixes (-ta accusative, -y infinitive, munani "I want to")

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