yaku
/ˈja.kʊ/
The English word "water" is translated into Quechua as yaku or unu.
Meaning: inorganic compound H₂O (noun)
Ways to say it
| Quechua | IPA |
|---|---|
| yaku | /ˈja.kʊ/ |
| unu |
Both terms refer to the inorganic compound H₂O.
Which one should you use?
The forms yaku and unu are both used to mean water, but they represent different dialectal varieties of the language.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify the form yaku with suffixes to change its role in a sentence. To use water as a direct object, add the suffix -ta to get yakuta (water, accusative case). To say "in the water", add the locative suffix -pi to get yakupi.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈja.kʊ/. The stress is on the first of the two syllables.
Did you know?
- In the Andean worldview, yaku is not just a liquid but a living deity and a conscious entity that can communicate with humans.
- In many Andean communities, you can show respect to the water by adding the honorific suffix -cha to yaku, creating yakucha.
- Because Quechua is agglutinative, a single word can be built from yaku and various suffixes to mean 'the water that is being drunk'.
Examples in context
- Chahay qochaq chawpinpiqa unus muyun.They say the water swirls in the center of that lagoon.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the form unu.Tatoeba #13958853 by IdiomHunter, translation #13958862 by IdiomHunter
- Chaywan mikhuni, paganay tiyan alquiler, yakumanta, luzmanta pagakunay tiyan.With that I eat, I have to pay for the rent, water, and electricity.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the form yaku in a list of expenses.Tatoeba #13967071 by IdiomHunter, translation #13967081 by IdiomHunter
- Yakuqa kawsachin.Water gives life.Tatoeba #13968904 by IdiomHunter, translation #13968907 by IdiomHunter
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Wayllu and Yuriana are eating lunch together.
- WaylluYuriana, yaku munankichu?Yuriana, do you want some water?
- YurianaArí, yaku munmi.Yes, I do want water.
- WaylluKaypiy, yaku kachkan.Here it is, there is water.
- YurianaSullpayki, Wayllu.Thank you, Wayllu.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “water” translations and entries yaku, unu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
