The languages spoken in Peru are Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara, all recognized as official languages, with Spanish used by about 83% of the population and Quechua spoken by roughly 4 million people in the Andean highlands. Peru is one of the most linguistically rich countries in the Americas, where the language of the Inca Empire still lives alongside Spanish and dozens of Amazonian tongues.
Spanish: The Dominant Language
Spanish (español, often called castellano locally) is the first language of roughly 83% of Peruvians and the language of government, schools, business, courts, and national media. It arrived with Spanish colonizers in the 16th century and gradually became the country's lingua franca, the common tongue that connects people across regions and ethnic groups.
Peruvian Spanish has its own distinct flavor. The accent spoken along the coast, especially in Lima, is considered one of the clearer, more neutral varieties of Latin American Spanish, which makes it popular with language learners. Highland and jungle Spanish, by contrast, carry heavier influences from indigenous languages in their rhythm and vocabulary. Everyday Peruvian speech is sprinkled with Quechua loanwords, so even monolingual Spanish speakers use indigenous terms without realizing it.
Quechua: The Voice of the Incas
Quechua (Runasimi, meaning "the people's speech") is the most widely spoken indigenous language family in the Americas. Around 4 million Peruvians speak it, and 8 to 10 million people speak it across South America, including in Bolivia, Ecuador, and parts of Argentina, Colombia, and Chile.
It was the administrative language of Tawantinsuyu, the Inca Empire, which spread Quechua far beyond its original homeland as the empire expanded. Importantly, Quechua is not a single language but a family of related varieties. The two largest branches are Southern Quechua, spoken in Cusco, Puno, and Bolivia, and Central Quechua, spoken in regions such as Junín and Áncash. These branches can be so different that speakers from distant regions may not understand one another at all. Cusco Quechua, descended from the speech of the Inca court, is often regarded as the most prestigious variety.
Aymara and the Languages of the South
Aymara is Peru's third official language, spoken by roughly half a million people concentrated around Lake Titicaca and in the Puno region near the Bolivian border. Like Quechua, it predates the Spanish conquest and remains a living language of daily life, markets, and family in the southern Andes.
Quechua and Aymara have coexisted for centuries and share vocabulary, but they belong to separate language families and are not mutually intelligible. Both gained formal recognition under Peru's constitution, which grants official status to Spanish nationwide and to Quechua, Aymara, and other indigenous languages within the areas where they predominate.
The Languages of the Amazon
Beyond the Andes, Peru's Amazon basin is one of the most linguistically diverse places on Earth. The country is home to around 47 indigenous languages drawn from 19 different language families, many of them spoken by small communities deep in the rainforest. Examples include Asháninka, Aguaruna (Awajún), and Shipibo-Conibo.
Many of these Amazonian languages have fewer than a thousand speakers and are considered endangered, as younger generations shift toward Spanish for education and economic opportunity. The Peruvian government and indigenous organizations have promoted bilingual education programs and language documentation to help preserve this heritage, though the pressure on the smallest languages remains severe.
Quechua Words You Already Know
Quechua has quietly enriched languages worldwide. Several everyday English words come from it, often traveling through Spanish first. These include:
- Llama — the Andean pack animal
- Condor — from kuntur, the great Andean vulture
- Puma — the mountain lion
- Quinoa — from kinwa, the high-protein grain
- Jerky — from charki, dried meat
For travelers, a few words go a long way. In Spanish, basics like hola (hello), gracias (thank you), and ¿cuánto cuesta? (how much?) are essential. In the highlands and around Cusco, greeting someone with the Quechua Allillanchu? (How are you?) or saying Sulpayki (thank you) is genuinely appreciated. For more on the country's regions, culture, and travel, see our peru country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official language of Peru?
Peru has three official languages: Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. Spanish is official across the entire country, while Quechua and Aymara hold official status in the regions where they are predominantly spoken.
Do most people in Peru speak Spanish?
Yes. Spanish is the first language of about 83% of Peruvians and is used in government, education, and business everywhere. Many indigenous-language speakers are also bilingual in Spanish.
Is Quechua still spoken today?
Absolutely. Around 4 million Peruvians speak Quechua, mostly in the Andean highlands, and it is taught in some schools and used in radio and government services. It is the most widely spoken indigenous language in the Americas.
Can I get by with English in Peru?
English is spoken in major tourist areas, hotels, and tour agencies, especially in Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu. Outside these areas, however, knowing some Spanish is very helpful, as English is not widely spoken in everyday settings.