Body Parts

1. P'iqi

   Head

   Usage

   The p' is ejective. "P'iqix muyuski" = I feel dizzy, useful when describing altitude sickness

2. Ñik'uta

   Hair

   Usage

   The hair on your head. Aymara women's long braids carry social meaning, so compliment them with words, not by touching

3. Ajanu

   Face

   Usage

   The altiplano sun burns faces fast; useful when asking about sunburn

4. Nayra

   Eye

   Usage

   The same word means "front" and "past"; Aymara places the past in front and the future behind. It is also the nayra glossed "old" in the Adjectives category

5. Jinchu

   Ear

   Usage

   Point to it when your ears block crossing a high pass

6. Nasa

   Nose

   Usage

   The dry highland air causes nosebleeds

7. Laka

   Mouth

   Usage

   Use it at a dentist or pharmacy to point out trouble inside the mouth

8. Kunka

   Neck

   Usage

   The same word also means "voice"; point here when your throat hurts

9. Kallachi

   Shoulder

   Usage

   Point to it when a heavy load has hurt it

10. Ampara

    Hand / arm

    Usage

    One word for both hand and arm; point if you need to narrow it down

11. Luk'ana

    Finger

    Usage

    The k' is ejective: a popped consonant, different from plain k

12. Chuyma

    Heart / inner chest

    Usage

    A key word covering both the organs in the chest and the seat of feeling; "suma chuymani" is a good-hearted person. At a clinic, point to your chest while showing it

13. Puraka

    Belly / stomach

    Usage

    The belly in general; point here when you have stomach pain

14. Jikhani

    Back

    Usage

    The kh is an aspirated k, said with a strong puff of air

15. Kayu

    Leg / foot

    Usage

    One word for both leg and foot; point at where it hurts

16. Qunquri

    Knee

    Usage

    Easily strained on La Paz's steep streets

17. Lip'ichi

    Skin

    Usage

    The p' is ejective. Dry air and strong sun crack the skin at altitude

18. Ch'aka

    Bone

    Usage

    "Ch'akax p'akjatawa" = I have broken a bone. The ch' is ejective

19. Wila

    Blood

    Usage

    "Wilax jalsuski" = I am bleeding. The same word means "red", and family is "wila masi", blood companions

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