Quechua

noun

Que·​chua ˈke-chə-wə 

ˈkech-wə

plural Quechua or Quechuas

1

: a family of languages spoken by Indigenous peoples of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina

2

a

: a member of an Indigenous people of central Peru

b

: a group of peoples forming the dominant element of the Inca Empire

Quechuan

ˈke-chə-wən 

ˈkech-wən

adjective or noun

Examples of Quechua in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Indigenous languages are also widely spoken, with some having official status, as in Paraguay (Guaraní), Peru (Quechua, Aymara), and Bolivia (36 Indigenous languages, according to the 2009 constitution). — Michael Ray, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 June 2026

Performers in traditional dress portray Inca nobility, priests and warriors, and the rituals are conducted in Quechua, the language of the Inca Empire and still widely spoken in the Andes today. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026

In Ecuador, microphones transmit Spanish, Quechua, Mixteco, Guarani, Miskito, Quiché. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Apr. 2026

The title refers to the Quechua language that dates to the ancient Inca empire and is still spoken by millions of people in the Andes region of Peru. — Adam Bell april 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026

The lake is considered the birthplace of the Incas, as is told in their origin story, and both Quechua and Aymara communities continue to live on and around it in ways seemingly frozen in time. — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Her Joining is warm and ceremonial, with everyone in the village singing traditional songs in the Quechua language. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2025

The performers mix Spanish lyrics with Quechua and Aymara, two indigenous languages. — Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 13 July 2025

At the sight of them, the villagers around me spring to action, shouting in Quechua and waving the rope aggressively. — David Nolan, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, probably from Southern Peruvian Quechua qheswa (simi), literally, valley speech

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Kids Definition

Quechua

noun

Que·​chua ˈkech-(ə-)wə 

kə-ˈchü-ə

plural Quechua or Quechuas

: a family of closely related languages spoken by Indigenous peoples of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina