allianllachu
allianllachu is the Quechua way to say "hi, how are you?"
In many Quechua dialects, allianllachu functions as both a greeting and a question regarding someone's well-being. You may also hear Imaynalla. used as an informal way to ask "How are you?"
What does it mean word for word?
The word allianllachu is a combination of allin (good), the intensive suffix -lla (very/only) and the interrogative suffix -chu (question marker), which literally translates to "Are you well?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix -chu is attached to the end of the word to turn a statement into a yes/no question.
When do people say it?
When someone asks you allianllachu?, a common response is allinllam, which uses the suffix -m to affirm that you are well.
Did you know?
- While allianllachu asks if you are well, Quechua speakers often use the concept of allin to describe not just health, but a state of cosmic balance and harmony with nature.
- In some regions, it is customary to continue the greeting exchange with several specific questions about the other person's family and livestock before beginning the main conversation.
- The response allinllam uses a validator suffix -m to indicate that the speaker is speaking from their own direct experience, a feature English lacks.
Examples in context
- Allianllachu?Are you well?
- Allianllachu kachkanki?Are you doing well?
- Allianllachu kachkanki, tayta?Are you well, sir?
Example conversation
Rosa meets Jose on a street in the morning.
- RosaAllianllachu, Jose?Are you well, Jose?
- JoseAllillanmi, Rosa. Qanrí?I am well, Rosa. And you?
- RosaÑuqaqa allillanmi.I am also well.
- JoseTupananchiskama.Until we meet again.
