Looking for practical Tumbuka to Quechua phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Tumbuka phrase first, then the Quechua translation (Quechua) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.
The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Quechua.
Tip: pick five Quechua phrases from the greetings section and use them in a real message today. Small daily practice beats cramming before a trip.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the Tumbuka to Quechua translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.
Greetings and pleasantries
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.
Moni
Ñukaka rimayki(N/A)
Zikomo
Sukhi(N/A)
Muli bwanji
Allin punchaw(N/A)
Muli bwanji
Allin sukta(N/A)
Muli bwanji
Allin ch'isi(N/A)
Usiku wabwino
Allin wawa(N/A)
Tiwonana
Kusikuyki(N/A)
Tsalani bwino
Tinkunakama(N/A)
Dzina lanu ndi ndani?
¿Iman nankichu?(N/A)
Dzina langa ndi John
Ñukapa sutiyki John(N/A)
Muli bwanji?
¿Allin kachkanki?(N/A)
Ndine wokondwa kukumana nanu
Sumaq kawsayki(N/A)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
Muli ndi Chingerezi?
¿Ñukaka inglish rimayki?(N/A)
Sikuyankhula Hindi bwino
Ñukaka hindi mana allin rimayku(N/A)
Sindikumva
Ñukaka mana yachkani(N/A)
Chonde yankhulani pang'ono
Allichu rimay, ch'isi ch'isi(N/A)
Mungandiyankhulepo?
¿Kispa rimayki?(N/A)
Kuti ndi kuti?
¿Maypin está waki?(N/A)
Ndingafike bwanji ku msewu waukulu?
¿Imataq chay llaqta sutinchikta rikhuy?(N/A)
Pita kumanzere
Ñawi ch'isi(N/A)
Pita kumanja
Ñawi ch'iri(N/A)
Pita mwendo
Ch'isi ch'isi rikhuy(N/A)
Ndi ndalama zingati?
¿Haykaq k'uchu?(N/A)
Tiketi imodzi, chonde
Chayni tiket, allichu(N/A)
Ndi mtunda wautali kuchokera pano?
¿Kawsayki chaypi?(N/A)
Ndakhalapo
Ñukaka wañuyki(N/A)
Ndingatengere kuti kuti SIM card?
¿Maypin SIM k'aruña?(N/A)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
Iye
Ari(ari)
Ayi
Manan(manan)
Pang'ono
Ñukaka chaymi(ñukaka chaymi)
Ndikugwirizana
Ñukaka chayniyuq(ñukaka chayniyuq)
Sindikugwirizana
Ñukaka manan chayniyuq(ñukaka manan chayniyuq)
Ichi chimaoneka bwino
Chay suyayki(chay suyayki)
Muli ndi chiyani choti mumaganize?
Iman chayki?(iman chayki?)
Mungandithandize?
¿Sukuyki?(sukuyki)
Ndikufuna thandizo
Ñukaka sukuyki(ñukaka sukuyki)
Dikirani pang’ono
Huk punchawni(huk punchawni)
Ndikupemphera
Ñukaka yuyariy(ñukaka yuyariy)
Palibe vutoli
Manan problema(manan problema)
Zikomo
Yaykuyki(yaykuyki)
Tsiku lobadwa labwino
Wawqi kawsayki(wawqi kawsayki)
Pita bwino pa ulendo
Sumaq q'aychikuyki(sumaq q'aychikuyki)
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
Kukakhala kuti chiteshi cha njinga?
¿Maypi k'anchay chaka?(maypi k'anchay chaka)
Kukakhala kuti malo otchinga basi?
¿Maypi bus chaka?(maypi bus chaka)
Ndi chigawo chiti?
¿Ima platforma?(ima platforma)
Nanga nthawi itangopita?
¿Imataq ch'uyay?(imataq ch'uyay)
Kodi iyi ndi njira yoyenera?
¿Kayqa chaymi?(kayqa chaymi)
Iyi ndi pafupi apa
Ñukaka chaypi kanki(ñukaka chaypi kanki)
Iyi ndi kutali ndi apa
Ñukaka chaypi mana kanki(ñukaka chaypi mana kanki)
Mungandionetse pa chithunzi?
¿Kanki mapapi qhawchiy?(kanki mapapi qhawchiy)
Chimitsa apa, chonde
¿Kaypi t'ikray, por favor?(kaypi t'ikray, por favor)
Zimatenga nthawi yaitali bwanji?
¿Haykaq chaytaq?(haykaq chaytaq)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.