quechua

Quechua (language and people)

noun KEH-choo-ah Rare

Origin: From the Quechua word qhichwa, referring to the people of the temperate valleys.

Usage Note

Quechua is the indigenous language family of the Andes — still spoken by millions across Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and neighboring countries — and the name of the related peoples. It gave Spanish (and English) dozens of everyday words: papa (potato), llama, cóndor, and puma. As an adjective it is invariable: hablante quechua, cultura quechua. The gender varies: el quechua (the language), but un/una quechua (a Quechua person).

Examples

"El quechua es hablado por millones de personas."

Natural Translation

Quechua is spoken by millions of people.

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