Quechua etymology

Etymology:

"Quechua" is derived from the Quechua word "qhichwa," which means "valley." It originally referred to the people and language of the Cusco Valley in Peru.

Meaning:

• Quechua (noun): The language spoken by indigenous people living in the Andean highlands of South America.
• Quechua (adjective): Relating to the Quechua language or culture.

Origin:

The Quechua language originated in the central Andean highlands of South America, specifically in the Cusco Valley of Peru. It is believed to have developed from a proto-language spoken by the Wari culture around 1000 CE.

Distribution:

Quechua is spoken by approximately 8 million people in the following countries:

• Peru
• Bolivia
• Ecuador
• Colombia
• Argentina
• Chile

Dialects:

There are numerous dialects of Quechua, each with its own unique features. Some of the major dialects include:

• Southern Quechua: Spoken in Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina
• Northern Quechua: Spoken in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia
• Central Quechua: Spoken in Peru

Historical Significance:

Quechua was the official language of the Inca Empire and was used for administrative, religious, and literary purposes. After the Spanish conquest, Quechua continued to be widely spoken in the Andes, despite efforts by the Spanish to suppress it. Today, it remains an important language for indigenous communities in South America.

Quechua relate terms

• chino

  Etymology The word chino comes from the Spanish word chino meaning Chinese Mean

• lagniappe

  Etymology From Spanish la ñapa meaning something extra a gift from Old Spanish

• Cain

  Cain Etymology Meaning and Origin Etymology The name Cain derives from the Hebrew wor

• Indian

  Etymology The word Indian is derived from the Greek word Indos which referred to the

• language

  Etymology The term etymology derives from the Greek word etymon meaning true sense

• artillery

  Etymology The word artillery is derived from the Old French word artillerie which i

• February

  Etymology of February February is derived from the Latin word februarius which means

• boisterous

  Etymology Middle English boistous or boistows from Anglo French boistous lively me

• earnest

  Etymology The word earnest originated from the Middle English word ernest which deri