What Language Do They Speak In Peru?

Caravan answers top FAQs about Peru’s languages 

Peru is a place of extraordinary cultural diversity. For millennia, different cultures and civilizations have blossomed, flourished, died, and changed across Peru’s vast landscape. 

As they did, cultural groups influenced one another. Over time, this interplay of influence created the complex, multi-lingual culture of modern Peru. 

Today, linguists estimate 54 languages are used among Peruvian communities, 47 of which are indigenous. If certain dialects count separately, there may be as many as 72. 

The history of Peru’s languages is long and complex. Some linguists have made it their life’s work! Here, though, we’ll focus on the highlights.

Dive in, and get answers to popular questions about language in Peru. 

Spanish Is Peru’s Primary Language 

Spanish is the language spoken most widely in Peru. According to Translators Without Borders, about 84% of Peruvians speak Spanish. 

Moreover, census data shows 94% of people in Peru speak Spanish. That number includes people for whom Spanish is a second language, and they speak it well enough to get by—even if they haven’t reached total proficiency/fluency.  

Yet, despite it being the most popular, Spanish isn’t Peru’s sole official language. It’s one of three. 

What Are The Three Official Languages In Peru?

Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara are all official languages in Peru. 

In 2011, Peruvians passed the Law for Indigenous Languages (Law 29735), formally recognizing Quechua and Aymara as official, national languages. 

Thus, all government and administration must be conducted in all three languages.  . 

Peru’s Indigenous Languages (Historic and Present) 

The earliest human settlements in the place now called Peru began 22,000 years ago. Humans settled in the Andes 10,000 years later. Between then and now, hundreds of cultures—and several civilizations—came and went.

For much of this time, hundreds of languages were spoken throughout Peru. Moreover, many of these cultures were multilingual. Over time, three languages became most widely used in pre-Colombian Peru: Aymara, Quechua, and Asháninka.

Over 4 million modern Peruvians speak Quechua. It was the primary language of the Inca, and its popularity grew dramatically with the Inca Empire’s expansion in the 13th century. 

About 434,000-600,000 Peruvians speak Aymara. The language began in the Tiwanku polity, which built a complex agricultural trade network from 600 AD to 1000 AD. As it flourished, ancient Peruvians increasingly used its language.

Roughly 97,000 Peruvians speak Asháninka. It began in the Amazon basin region. 15,200 speakers live in indigenous Ashéninka communities in the Ucayali province. 

Which Other Indigenous Languages Are Spoken In Peru? 

In addition to Quechua, Aymara, and Asháninka,  many Peruvians use other indigenous languages and dialects. Notable highlights include:

• Aguaruna (Awajún) 
• Machiguenga (Matsigenka)
• Shipibo-Konibo 
• Ticuna 
• Wampís (Huambisa)
• Peruvian Sign Language / Lengua de señas peruana (LSP)

These languages make an outsized impact. 

Language Diversity Across Peru’s Regions

Spanish is spoken across the board, but dialects vary by region. The popularity of different indigenous languages similarly changes from place to place.

Dialects of The Sierra (Andes)

In the Andean highlands, the Quescua-influenced Andean Spanish (Andino) is the most common dialect. Southern Quechua, the variant closest to ancient Incas’ speech, is used in Cusco, Ayacucho, and Apuríma. 

The Central Quechua dialect is more common in Huanuco, Pasco, Junín, and the Ancash Region.  

In the eastern hills, Andino Spanish dialect is influenced by the Machiguenga language. 

Dialects of The Chala

In Peru’s desert coast, the default dialect is Peruvian Coastal (Ribereño) Spanish. It’s the government’s official dialect and most common in Peruvian media.

Between the mountains and the coast, Aymara and Quechua are both common. Peruvians use the blended Ribereño-Andino Spanish dialect.

Languages of The Selva 

In Peru’s central region, the most common dialect is Amazonic Spanish (Charapa). The majority of indigenous Peruvian languages are spoken there, including Aymara, Aguaruna, Shipibo-Konibo, and Wampís (Huambisa).

Near the Peru-Ecuador border, Equatorial Spanish is the primary dialect.

Communicating In Peru As A Traveler 

Understanding Spanish will get you far in Peru. Fortunately, there are many well-reputed resources for learning Spanish, from Duolingo to professional teachers. 

Working with a guide or interpreter who can translate Spanish into English during a trip is another great option.

It’s fairly straightforward to hire an English-speaking guide or translator for a trip. About 11% of Peruvians speak English fluently as a second language, and there’s a much higher concentration of English speakers in tourist hubs like Lima. 

Are Any Translation Apps Useful?

If you don’t want to work with a professional translator, and you don’t speak Spanish yourself, another option is to use a translation app. 

However, this shouldn’t be Plan A. Google Translate, in particular, doesn’t have great accuracy when translating more than a few words at a time, and it can’t translate most figures of speech. 

Instead, if an app appeals to you, invest in something more reliable and comprehensive. 

DeepL Pro is the highest-ranked Spanish-English translation software for accuracy. It translates commonplace Spanish in seconds, and it reliably translates complex ideas and documents with time. 

Reverso is a more traveler-friendly option, providing context to deepen users’ understanding of translated phrases, while still maintaining a high level of accuracy.

What Customs Are Key For Polite Communication?

Cultural Atlas is an excellent resource for those learning to communicate outside their culture of origin. The entry “Peruvian Culture: Communication” has several useful insights, including:

• “Peruvians can be quite expressive and emotive in their communication. Conversations are often loud and accompanied by animated body language…There are rarely moments of silence in which more timid voices can interject.”
• “Peruvians will often go to great lengths to avoid confrontation and maintain composure… one may hold a prolonged silence [when in conflict]. Conflict is usually addressed in private. Peruvians may be offended if the conflict or criticism is addressed in public.”
• “Peruvians tend to stand quite close to one another; less than an arm’s length apart is common. It can be considered rude to back away from someone during a conversation.”

While these are generalizations, they’re useful to understand before traveling. 

Discover Peru’s Cultures & History

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