Basic Quechua Phrases to Know Before Visiting Cusco

If you’re headed to Cusco, you’ll hear Spanish everywhere but Quechua (Runasimi) is still very present, especially in markets and in smaller communities around the city. You don’t need to learn Quechua. What helps is knowing a handful of phrases that feel natural, are easy to remember, and make day-to-day moments (buying something, ordering food, saying thanks) a lot smoother.