sumaq wata kachun
The phrase "happy birthday" in Quechua is expressed as sumaq wata kachun or kusi wata hunt'ay.
Meaning: good wishes for a birthday (intj)
Ways to say it
| Quechua |
|---|
| sumaq wata kachun |
| kusi wata hunt'ay |
Both phrases are used to offer good wishes to someone celebrating a birthday.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase sumaq wata kachun literally translates to "may it be a beautiful year". The phrase kusi wata hunt'ay refers to the "completion of a joyful year".
Did you know?
- The word wata for 'year' is closely tied to the Quechua word for 'to tie' or 'to bind', reflecting the way time is viewed as a loop.
- In many Andean communities, a birthday is not just a personal milestone but a time to celebrate the harmony between the person and the 'Pachamama' or Mother Earth.
- While sumaq is used in birthday wishes to mean 'beautiful', it is also the standard word used to describe a 'delicious' meal.
Examples in context
- Sumaq wata kachun!May it be a good year!
Example conversation
Yuriana and Luis are at a small party.
- YurianaSumaq wata kachun, Luis!Happy birthday, Luis!
- LuisAñay, Yuriana.Thank you, Yuriana.
- YurianaKayqa qanpaq regaloy.This is your gift.
- LuisSumaqmi, añay.It is beautiful, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy birthday” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
