Café & Drinks

1. Chicha umaña muntwa

   Chi-cha u-ma-ña mun-twa

   I want to drink chicha

   Usage

   Used to request chicha, the traditional fermented corn beer central to Aymara culture

   Grammar Note

   Chicha is brewed across the Andes. In Aymara ritual, the first sip is poured on the ground as "ch'alla" — an offering to Pachamama before drinking. The person markers of the Aymara simple present are -t for the 1st person, -ta for the 2nd and -i for the 3rd, so the bare 1st and 2nd person forms are ambiguous. Only the assertive forms muntwa (1st) and muntawa (2nd) separate them unambiguously, so the 1st person "I want" is muntwa. Munxta is not a person form at all.

2. Uma apxitama

   U-ma ap-xi-ta-ma

   Please bring water

   Usage

   Used in restaurants or homes to request water. Hydration is critical at high altitudes

   Grammar Note

   "Uma" is both "water" (noun) and the root for "to drink" (verb). At 3800m+ near Lake Titicaca, proper hydration is critical for altitude sickness prevention

3. Mate de coca apxitama

   Ma-te de co-ca ap-xi-ta-ma

   Please bring coca tea

   Usage

   Used to order coca tea, a common remedy for altitude sickness and a traditional Andean drink

   Grammar Note

   Coca tea is a traditional Andean drink used to alleviate altitude sickness (soroche). It's legal and widely consumed in Bolivia and Peru. Not to be confused with cocaine

4. Alcohol jan utjki uma muntwa

   Al-cohol jan ut-jki u-ma mun-twa

   I want a non-alcoholic drink

   Usage

   Used when requesting a non-alcoholic beverage, particularly at traditional ceremonies

   Grammar Note

   "Alcohol" is a Spanish loanword and "jan utjki" means "that does not exist". "Ch'ama" is "strength", not "alcohol" (ch'amaniti means "has strength"). In Aymara tradition, drinking can be reserved for ceremonial contexts. The person markers of the Aymara simple present are -t for the 1st person, -ta for the 2nd and -i for the 3rd, so the bare 1st and 2nd person forms are ambiguous. Only the assertive forms muntwa (1st) and muntawa (2nd) separate them unambiguously, so the 1st person "I want" is muntwa. Munxta is not a person form at all.

5. Singani umañ sarañani

   Sin-ga-ni u-mañ sa-ra-ña-ni

   Let's go drink singani

   Usage

   Used informally to suggest going out to drink singani, Bolivia's national grape brandy

   Grammar Note

   "Singani" is Bolivia's national spirit made from white muscat grapes. Similar to Peru's "pisco" but legally only Bolivian-produced grape brandy can be called singani

6. Kuna umañanakas utji?

   Ku-na u-ma-ña-na-kas ut-ji?

   What drinks are available?

   Usage

   Used at bars or restaurants to ask what drinks are on offer

   Grammar Note

   Ima is the Quechua 'what'; Aymara uses kuna. A drink is umaña (uma 'water' + -ña). Aymara forms content questions by attaching -sa

7. Uka uma kunasa?

   U-ka u-ma ku-na-sa?

   What is that drink?

   Usage

   Used when pointing at an unfamiliar drink to ask what it is

   Grammar Note

   Aymara demonstratives: "aka" (this/here), "uka" (that/there), "khaya" (that over there). A three-way system parallel to Japanese ko-so-a or Spanish este-ese-aquel

8. Suma umaña yuspagara

   Su-ma u-ma-ña yus-pa-ga-ra

   Thank you for the delicious drink

   Usage

   Used to express gratitude after being offered or treated to a drink

   Grammar Note

   "Yuspagara" is the primary Aymara expression of thanks. While Spanish "gracias" is widely understood, using "yuspagara" builds immediate rapport with locals

9. Thaya uma apxitama

   Tha-ya u-ma ap-xi-ta-ma

   Please bring a cold drink

   Usage

   Used to order a cold drink, particularly welcome in the intense Andean sunshine

   Grammar Note

   "Thaya" (cold; jist'a means "to open" and is a different word; the same word as in thaya uma = cold water) precedes the noun, as all adjectives do in Aymara. Despite high altitude, Andean sun can be intense, making cold drinks welcome during the day

10. Chicha de quinua utjatati?

    Chi-cha de qu-i-nu-a ut-ja-ta-ti?

    Is there quinoa chicha available?

    Usage

    Used to inquire about quinoa chicha, a traditional variant brewed with quinoa instead of corn

    Grammar Note

    "Quinua" (quinoa) is an Andean staple grain. Chicha is brewed not only from corn but also from quinoa, potatoes, and other Andean crops depending on the region

11. Jan chullunkhayani

    No ice

    Usage

    Ice is often tap water; say it when ordering a drink

12. Botella uma

    Bottled water

    Usage

    When you want water in a sealed bottle

13. Junt'u uma

    Hot water

    Usage

    For baby formula, medicine, or tea

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