Adjectives

1. Jach'a

   Big

   Usage

   For asking for another size; use it with a gesture

2. Jisk'a

   Small

   Usage

   For describing clothing or room size

3. Jathi

   Heavy

   Usage

   For excess baggage, or asking someone to lift something

4. Jasa

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   About weight only — in many languages this is a different word from “bright”

   Grammar Note

   "Jasa" means light in weight; it also means easy.

5. Ancha chanini

   Expensive

   Usage

   The opening move in a haggle; pair it with a face

6. Pisi chanini

   Cheap

   Usage

   For asking whether a cheaper option exists

7. Junt'u

   Hot (thing)

   Usage

   About food, drink, or water — not the same word as hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "Junt’u" is a hot object; hot weather is "junt’uskiwa."

8. Thaya

   Cold (thing)

   Usage

   About drinks and food — not the same word as cold weather

   Grammar Note

   "Thaya" covers both cold objects and cold air, but for the weather the verbal "thayaskiwa" is more natural.

9. Machaqa

   New

   Usage

   For checking whether something is unused

10. Nayra

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    For objects only; used of people it is rude in many languages

    Grammar Note

    "Nayra" means former or old; it is not used of people.

11. Wayna

    Young

    Usage

    About a person’s age; a small-talk word

    Grammar Note

    "Wayna" is a young man; a young woman is "tawaqu."

12. Achachi

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The dedicated word for people; pick the respectful one

    Grammar Note

    "Achachi" doubles as a respectful title for an older man; an older woman is "awicha."

13. Q'uma

    Clean

    Usage

    For a clean room or clean water, and for a beautiful view

14. Q'añu

    Dirty

    Usage

    Useful when asking to change rooms

15. Suma

    Good

    Usage

    The all-purpose word for agreement and approval

16. Jan waliki

    Bad

    Usage

    For saying that your health or an item’s quality is poor

17. Jak'a

    Near

    Usage

    For checking whether somewhere is within walking distance

18. Jaya

    Far

    Usage

    Tells you whether you need transport

19. Nayraqata

    Early

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “fast”

    Grammar Note

    "Nayraqata" is early in time; fast in speed is "jank’aki."

20. Qhipata

    Late

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “slow”

    Grammar Note

    "Qhipata" is being late; slow in speed is "k’achata."

21. Walja

    Many

    Usage

    About quantity or how crowded somewhere is

22. Pisi

    Few

    Usage

    Also useful for asking for a smaller portion

23. Junt'uskiwa

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a hot object

24. Thayaskiwa

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a cold object

25. Muxsa

    Delicious

    Usage

    The word you will reach for most often at the table; also covers "sweet"

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