Look, I’m going to be straight with you. You can arrive in Cusco to volunteer with zero Spanish and survive. Plenty of people do. But your experience will be about ten times richer, more meaningful, and frankly more fun if you learn some essential Spanish phrases before you arrive and pick up more during your first weeks volunteering in Peru.
This isn’t going to be one of those generic “tourist Spanish” guides that teaches you how to order beer and find the bathroom, though honestly those phrases matter too. This is about the specific Spanish you’ll actually need and use constantly while volunteering in Cusco, living with a homestay family, working at community placements, taking Spanish classes, and navigating daily life in Peru.
I’ve watched hundreds of volunteers go through the language learning journey. The ones who invest time learning key phrases early on build relationships faster, understand their placements better, and generally have more authentic experiences than those who rely entirely on English or translation apps. So let’s get into the Spanish that actually matters for international volunteers in Peru.
Before we get into situational phrases, there are some fundamental Spanish expressions that you’ll use approximately 47 times per day while volunteering in Cusco. These are non-negotiable, learn-them-on-the-plane-ride-to-Peru essential.
“No entiendo” means “I don’t understand,” and this will be your most-used phrase for the first week, possibly the first month. Peruvians speak fast, especially when they’re excited or explaining something important. When someone’s rapid-fire Spanish loses you completely, “No entiendo” is honest, direct, and signals them to slow down or try another way of explaining.
Follow it up with “¿Puede hablar más despacio, por favor?” which means “Can you speak more slowly, please?” Most Peruvians will happily slow down once they realize you’re learning Spanish. They appreciate the effort you’re making to speak their language rather than expecting everyone to accommodate English.
“¿Cómo se dice… en español?” translates to “How do you say… in Spanish?” This phrase becomes your best friend when you’re trying to expand your vocabulary. Point at something, ask this question, and Peruvians will teach you the word. Your host family will become enthusiastic Spanish teachers once they realize you’re genuinely interested in learning.
“Un momento, por favor” means “One moment, please,” and you’ll use this constantly when you need time to think of the Spanish word, check your translation app, or figure out how to phrase something. It’s polite, it works in basically any situation, and it buys you time without awkward silence.
“Disculpe” or “Perdón” both work for “Excuse me” or “I’m sorry.” Use disculpe to get someone’s attention politely or when you need to squeeze past someone on a crowded Cusco street. Use perdón when you’ve made a minor mistake. Peruvian culture values politeness, and these words go a long way.
“Gracias” and “De nada” are thank you and you’re welcome, but here’s the thing about Peru: people say gracias about 500 times per day for everything. Someone holds a door, gracias. Someone passes you salt at dinner, gracias. A shopkeeper gives you change, gracias. It’s not excessive, it’s culturally normal. Match this energy. And when someone thanks you, respond with “De nada” (literally “it’s nothing”) or the more casual “No hay de qué.”
Greetings in Peru are more elaborate than just “hello.” There’s a social ritual to them that shows respect and builds rapport, especially important when you’re volunteering in communities and want to establish positive relationships.
“Buenos días” (good morning), “Buenas tardes” (good afternoon), and “Buenas noches” (good evening/night) are used way more frequently than English speakers use these equivalents. When you arrive at your volunteer placement each morning, you greet everyone: Buenos días to the supervisor, buenos días to the other staff, buenos días to anyone you pass. When you leave in the afternoon, it’s buenas tardes to everyone. This isn’t optional formality, it’s basic respect.
Here’s the timeline: Buenos días until roughly noon or 1 PM. Buenas tardes from early afternoon until the sun sets, around 6 PM. Buenas noches from evening onward. When in doubt, pay attention to what Peruvians around you are saying and match it.
“¿Cómo está?” (formal) or “¿Cómo estás?” (informal) both mean “How are you?” Use the formal está with supervisors, teachers, host parents initially, or anyone older or in a position of authority. Use the informal estás with peers, other volunteers, kids you’re teaching, and with host families once you’ve established familiarity.
The standard response is “Bien, gracias. ¿Y usted/tú?” meaning “Good, thanks. And you?” Peruvians almost always ask “And you?” back, so be prepared to have this mini exchange every single time you greet someone. It’s not deep philosophical sharing about your actual state of being, it’s social ritual, and participating in it shows cultural awareness.
“Mucho gusto” means “Nice to meet you” and gets used when being introduced to someone new. At your volunteer orientation, meeting your host family for the first time, being introduced to teachers at your school placement, you’ll say “Mucho gusto” approximately every five minutes.
The response to mucho gusto is either “Igualmente” (likewise) or repeating “Mucho gusto” back. You’ll often hear “Encantado” (if you’re male) or “Encantada” (if you’re female), which means “delighted” or “enchanted to meet you.” It’s slightly more formal and warmer than mucho gusto.
“Hasta luego” means “See you later” and is your general goodbye. “Hasta mañana” is “See you tomorrow,” which you’ll use constantly at your volunteer placement. “Chao” (pronounced like Italian “ciao”) is the casual goodbye everyone uses. Peruvians often combine them: “Chao, hasta luego” or “Chao, hasta mañana.” It’s redundant but normal.
Living with a Peruvian host family while volunteering in Cusco means navigating daily domestic communication in Spanish. These phrases will make homestay life so much smoother.
“¿A qué hora es el desayuno/almuerzo/cena?” translates to “What time is breakfast/lunch/dinner?” Peruvian meal times might differ from what you’re used to, and your host family operates on their schedule. Asking this early on prevents you from missing meals or hanging around the kitchen awkwardly waiting for dinner that happens two hours later than you expected.
“Tengo hambre” means “I’m hungry,” which is useful when you need a snack between meals or when dinner is late and you’re starving. Most host families are happy to show you where snacks are kept, and some will immediately spring into action feeding you. Peruvian hospitality is real.
“Estoy lleno/llena” means “I’m full.” This is critical because host mothers often serve enormous portions and then encourage you to eat more. When you’re genuinely full, saying “Estoy lleno/a, gracias, todo estuvo delicioso” (I’m full, thanks, everything was delicious) allows you to stop eating without seeming rude or ungrateful.
“¿Puedo ayudar?” translates to “Can I help?” Use this when your host mother is cooking or cleaning and you want to contribute. Some families will accept your help enthusiastically. Others will refuse because you’re a guest, but asking shows respect and willingness to participate in household activities rather than treating your homestay like a hotel.
“¿Dónde está el baño?” is “Where is the bathroom?” but you’ll only need this once, hopefully. The more useful bathroom phrase is “¿Hay agua caliente?” meaning “Is there hot water?” Hot water in Peruvian homes is often inconsistent, sometimes only available at certain times, and knowing when to shower makes the difference between a comfortable and a freezing experience.
“No me siento bien” means “I don’t feel well.” If you’re sick, experiencing altitude sickness, or having stomach issues (which happens to basically every volunteer at some point), your host family needs to know. They’ll often have traditional remedies – coca tea for altitude, manzanilla tea for stomach problems – and they’ll check on you.
“Voy a salir” means “I’m going out,” and “Voy a regresar tarde” means “I’m going to come back late.” Most host families want to know roughly when you’ll be home, both for safety and for meal planning. Communicating your schedule shows consideration.
“¿Puedo usar…?” means “Can I use…?” followed by whatever you need: el internet (the internet), la lavadora (the washing machine), la cocina (the kitchen), el teléfono (the phone). Always ask before using things in your host family’s home.
The Spanish you need at your volunteer placement in Peru depends on your specific program, but there are universal phrases that work across teaching, medical, social work, construction, and animal care volunteering.
“¿En qué puedo ayudar?” means “How can I help?” This should be one of your first questions when arriving at any volunteer placement. It shows initiative and genuine desire to be useful rather than just observing passively.
“No sé cómo hacer esto” translates to “I don’t know how to do this.” Being honest about your skill level or confusion prevents mistakes and shows humility. Your supervisors in Peru prefer volunteers who ask questions over those who pretend to understand and then mess things up.
“¿Puede mostrarme?” means “Can you show me?” Following up “I don’t know how” with “Can you show me?” demonstrates willingness to learn. Most Peruvian supervisors are happy to teach volunteers who are genuinely interested rather than just checking off volunteer hours.
“Tengo una pregunta” is “I have a question.” Use this to get your supervisor’s attention before asking something. In Peruvian work culture, there’s a certain formality to approaching supervisors or teachers with questions, and this phrase signals that you’re requesting their time and attention respectfully.
“¿Está bien así?” translates to “Is this okay like this?” or “Am I doing this right?” When you’re attempting something new at your volunteer placement, whether it’s teaching a lesson, helping with medical tasks, or building something in construction volunteering, checking in shows you care about doing it correctly.
“Lo siento, llegué tarde” means “I’m sorry, I arrived late.” Peruvian time operates differently than Northern European or North American time, but even so, when you’re late to your volunteer placement, acknowledging it is important. Traffic in Cusco is unpredictable, combis run when they feel like it, and being late happens. Apologizing shows you respect your placement’s schedule.
“Estoy aprendiendo español” translates to “I’m learning Spanish.” This phrase is useful when you’re struggling with communication and want to explain why you’re using translation apps or asking people to repeat themselves constantly. Most Peruvians become much more patient and helpful when they know you’re actively studying their language.
If you’re volunteering as an English teacher in Cusco schools, you need specific Spanish phrases for classroom management and communication with students, even though you’re theoretically teaching in English.
“Silencio, por favor” means “Silence, please,” and you’ll use this roughly 400 times per class with younger students. Peruvian kids are enthusiastic and loud, which is great for energy but challenging for maintaining order. Raising your voice slightly while saying “Silencio” gets attention.
“Siéntense, por favor” translates to “Sit down, please.” Another classroom management essential. Sometimes you’ll need the singular “Siéntate” for one student who’s wandering around while everyone else is seated.
“Presten atención” means “Pay attention.” When students are distracted, chatting with neighbors, or staring out windows instead of listening to your English lesson, this phrase redirects their focus. Follow it with a pause to let them settle before continuing.
“¿Entienden?” is “Do you understand?” (plural). After explaining something in English, asking entienden in Spanish gives students a chance to admit confusion without struggling with English. If most heads nod yes, continue. If you see confused faces or hesitation, explain again differently.
“Muy bien” (very good), “Excelente” (excellent), and “Buen trabajo” (good work) are essential positive reinforcement phrases. Peruvian students respond incredibly well to praise, and sprinkling these phrases throughout class maintains motivation and enthusiasm.
“Tienen tarea” means “You have homework.” Following this with the specific assignment in simple Spanish or written on the board ensures students understand what’s expected. Homework compliance in rural Peruvian schools is inconsistent, but clearly communicating assignments helps.
“Saquen sus cuadernos” translates to “Take out your notebooks.” Start of class routine establishing. Similarly, “Abran sus libros a la página…” means “Open your books to page…” though in many volunteer placements, limited resources mean not every student has a book.
“¿Alguien tiene una pregunta?” means “Does anyone have a question?” Creating space for students to ask questions shows you’re approachable. Even if questions come in Spanish and you need to navigate answering in a mix of Spanish and English, the openness matters.
If you’re doing medical volunteering in Cusco or if you just need to communicate about health issues at your placement or homestay, these phrases are critical.
“Me duele…” means “…hurts me” or “I have pain in…” Follow it with the body part: la cabeza (head), el estómago (stomach), la garganta (throat), el pecho (chest). “Me duele la cabeza” is “I have a headache,” probably your most-used phrase during altitude adjustment.
“Estoy mareado/mareada” translates to “I’m dizzy,” another common altitude sickness symptom. “Tengo náuseas” means “I feel nauseous.” “Voy a vomitar” is “I’m going to vomit” – less polite but very clear when you need a bathroom immediately.
“Necesito ver un médico” means “I need to see a doctor.” If symptoms are serious enough to require medical attention beyond home remedies, this phrase communicates urgency to your host family or volunteer coordinator.
“Soy alérgico/alérgica a…” translates to “I’m allergic to…” followed by whatever: los maníes (peanuts), el polvo (dust), los mariscos (shellfish), la penicilina (penicillin). Critical information if you have serious allergies.
“¿Dónde está la farmacia?” means “Where is the pharmacy?” Pharmacies in Peru are abundant and sell many medications over the counter that would require prescriptions elsewhere. When you need medicine, this phrase gets you started.
“Tengo seguro médico” is “I have medical insurance.” If you end up at a Cusco clinic or hospital, letting them know you have travel insurance upfront clarifies billing and documentation needs.
For medical volunteers working in Peruvian clinics, you’ll need specialized medical Spanish that goes way beyond basic phrases. Things like “¿Desde cuándo tiene los síntomas?” (Since when have you had symptoms?), “¿Dónde le duele?” (Where does it hurt?), and “¿Está tomando algún medicamento?” (Are you taking any medication?). Our Spanish classes can focus on medical vocabulary if that’s your volunteer program focus.
Navigating Cusco’s public transportation, taxis, and buses requires specific Spanish phrases that tourists might not need but volunteers definitely do.
“¿Cuánto cuesta?” means “How much does it cost?” Essential for taxis, buses, markets, basically any transaction. In taxis without meters, asking this before getting in prevents disputes later. The standard combi ride in Cusco costs around 1-2 soles; taxis vary by distance.
“¿Va a…?” translates to “Are you going to…?” When flagging down a combi (shared van), you shout your destination as a question: “¿Va a San Blas?” If the driver nods or says sí, climb in. If not, wait for the next one.
“Bajo aquí, por favor” means “I’m getting off here, please.” For combis that don’t have set stops, telling the driver where you want to get off is essential. Some volunteers just yell “Bajo!” (getting off!) which works but is less polite.
“¿Me puede llevar a…?” translates to “Can you take me to…?” for taxis. Follow it with your destination: el aeropuerto (airport), el centro (downtown), mi casa (my house), or a specific address.
“Está muy caro” means “That’s too expensive.” If a taxi driver quotes an outrageous price to a clearly foreign volunteer, this phrase opens negotiation. The polite version is “¿Puede bajar el precio?” (Can you lower the price?).
“Tengo sencillo” means “I have small change,” which matters because taxi drivers and combi operators often claim they don’t have change for large bills. Sometimes this is legitimate, sometimes it’s an attempt to avoid giving change. Having sencillo (coins and small bills) makes transportation smoother.
Whether you’re buying groceries, souvenirs, or supplies for your volunteer placement, these market phrases are essential for daily life in Peru.
“¿Cuánto vale?” is another way to ask “How much?” Vale is often used interchangeably with cuesta. At Cusco’s markets, vendors expect you to ask prices since nothing’s labeled.
“Dame…” means “Give me…” and is how you order at markets, bakeries, or food stalls. “Dame un kilo de papas” (give me a kilo of potatoes), “Dame dos panes” (give me two breads). It’s direct but standard market language, not rude.
“¿Qué es esto?” translates to “What is this?” Peruvian markets sell fruits, vegetables, and products you’ve never seen before. Asking what things are, how to prepare them, and if they’re good opens conversations with vendors who often become friendlier and more helpful once they realize you’re genuinely interested in their products.
“¿Me puede dar una bolsa?” means “Can you give me a bag?” Markets charge for plastic bags or don’t provide them at all. Bringing your own reusable bag is common in Peru.
“¿Hay descuento?” asks “Is there a discount?” Bargaining is normal at artisan markets but not at grocery stores or established shops. This phrase works at San Pedro Market in Cusco when buying souvenirs or textiles.
“No más, gracias” translates to “No more, thanks” and helps when vendors are pushy trying to sell you things you don’t want. Firm but polite refusal that works better than ignoring them.
Volunteering in Peru isn’t just work and homestay, it’s also making friends with other volunteers and locals. These phrases help navigate social situations.
“¿Quieres…?” means “Do you want…?” Followed by: ir al cine (to go to the movies), salir esta noche (to go out tonight), tomar algo (to grab a drink), comer algo (to eat something). This is how you make social plans in Peru.
“¿Qué haces?” translates to “What are you doing?” The informal version of “what do you do” but used more casually, like “what are you up to?”
“Soy voluntario/voluntaria en…” means “I’m a volunteer at…” This is your introduction when meeting people in Cusco. Follow it with your specific program: enseñando inglés (teaching English), en un hospital (at a hospital), con animales (with animals), etc.
“¿De dónde eres?” asks “Where are you from?” Peruvians are curious about international volunteers and will ask this constantly. Practice your response: “Soy de Estados Unidos/Canadá/Australia/Reino Unido/etc.”
“¿Hace cuánto tiempo estás en Perú?” translates to “How long have you been in Peru?” Another common question. Your answer: “Hace tres semanas” (for three weeks), “Hace un mes” (for a month), “Llegué ayer” (I arrived yesterday).
“Me gusta mucho Perú” means “I like Peru very much.” Peruvians appreciate when foreigners express genuine affection for their country. This simple statement builds instant rapport and often leads to deeper conversations about what you’ve experienced and enjoyed about Peru.
These phrases don’t translate to specific functional needs but make your Spanish sound more natural and fluent, which matters when you’re trying to build genuine relationships while volunteering in Cusco.
“O sea” literally means “or be” but functions like “I mean” or “that is to say” in English. Peruvians use this constantly when explaining or clarifying something. Sprinkling it into your Spanish makes you sound much more natural.
“¿De verdad?” means “Really?” or “Seriously?” Use this to show interest and surprise in conversations. It keeps dialogue flowing and shows you’re engaged in what someone’s telling you.
“Qué interesante” translates to “How interesting.” Another engagement phrase that works in countless situations when someone’s telling you something about their life, their work, or Peruvian culture.
“Claro” means “Of course” or “clearly” and gets used as agreement or acknowledgment. “¿Quieres ir?” “Claro!” (Want to go? Of course!)
“Bueno…” isn’t just “good,” it’s conversational filler meaning “well…” or “so…” Peruvians start sentences with bueno constantly, especially when thinking or transitioning topics.
“Entonces” means “So” or “Then” and helps connect thoughts. “Entonces, vamos a…” (So, we’re going to…), “Entonces, ¿qué piensas?” (So, what do you think?).
“Ya” is uniquely Peruvian (and used throughout Latin America differently than Spain). In Peru, “ya” serves as acknowledgment, agreement, or “okay.” Someone explains something, you say “Ya” meaning you understand. It’s not “already,” it’s conversational punctuation.
Peruvian Spanish has specific quirks, and Cusco has regional variations that differ from Lima or other parts of Latin America. These are things you’ll hear constantly that might confuse you if you learned Spanish elsewhere or are using standard textbook Spanish.
“Pues” appears at the end of sentences in Peru for emphasis or as filler. “Sí, pues” (yes, then), “No sé, pues” (I don’t know). It doesn’t have direct English equivalent but approximates “well” or “then.” You’ll hear it in probably 60% of sentences.
“Causa” is Peruvian slang for “friend” or “dude,” used extensively in Lima and sometimes in Cusco. “Hola, causa” is casual greeting between friends. Similar to “bro” or “mate” depending on your cultural context.
“Chévere” means “cool” or “great” throughout Peru. “Qué chévere” (how cool), “Eso es chévere” (that’s great). Universal positive expression you’ll hear and should use.
“Bacán” is another Peruvian slang for “awesome” or “great,” slightly more Lima than Cusco but understood everywhere. “Está bacán” means “it’s awesome.”
“Pe” is added to phrases for emphasis, particularly in Cusco. “Sí pe” (yeah!), “Claro pe” (of course!). It’s informal and regional but incredibly common in Quechua-influenced Spanish around Cusco.
Peruvians use diminutives (-ito/-ita endings) constantly. Not just for making things small, but as affectionate additions. “Ahorita” (right now, but more like “in a bit”), “Cafecito” (little coffee, often means regular coffee said affectionately), “Momentito” (just a tiny moment).
“¿Cómo?” in Peru often means “What?” as in “I didn’t hear you” rather than “How?” Context determines meaning. If someone says something you didn’t catch, “¿Cómo?” signals them to repeat it.
These phrases are for serious situations that hopefully won’t happen, but every volunteer in Peru should know them just in case.
“¡Ayuda!” or “¡Auxilio!” both mean “Help!” Yell these if you’re in danger, injured, or witnessing an emergency.
“Llame a la policía” means “Call the police.” “Llame a una ambulancia” is “Call an ambulance.” In emergencies, these direct commands get results faster than elaborate explanations.
“Me robaron” translates to “They robbed me” or “I was robbed.” If you experience theft in Cusco, reporting it requires this phrase. “Perdí mi…” means “I lost my…” followed by: pasaporte (passport), cartera (wallet), teléfono (phone), mochila (backpack).
“Necesito ir a la embajada” means “I need to go to the embassy.” If you lose your passport or have serious legal issues, your embassy in Lima (or consulate in Cusco for some countries) can help.
“Soy ciudadano/ciudadana de…” translates to “I’m a citizen of…” Important for embassy contact or legal situations where nationality matters.
“No hablo español muy bien” means “I don’t speak Spanish very well.” In emergency situations, clarifying your language limitations helps authorities or helpers adjust communication.
Here’s what I want you to understand about Spanish phrases for volunteering in Peru: this list is a starting point, not an ending point. You could memorize every phrase in this article and still only scratch the surface of what you’ll need and want to say during your time in Cusco.
The real language learning happens in daily life. It happens at dinner with your host family when you’re trying to explain something about your country and have to creatively work around vocabulary you don’t know. It happens at your volunteer placement when a kid asks you a question in rapid Spanish and you have to piece together what they’re saying from context and the three words you recognized. It happens at the market when a vendor explains something about a fruit you’ve never seen before and you’re nodding along pretending to understand while frantically trying to memorize the words to look up later.
Spanish classes help tremendously, which is why we recommend combining volunteering with formal language instruction. But the classroom gives you structure and vocabulary; real life gives you fluency and confidence.
Make mistakes constantly. Conjugate verbs wrong. Mix up masculine and feminine articles. Use the wrong tense. Accidentally say something slightly inappropriate because you confused similar-sounding words. Every single volunteer does this. Peruvians are incredibly patient with learners, especially when you’re clearly trying.
Carry a small notebook and write down new words and phrases you hear. Your phone works too, but there’s something about physically writing that helps retention. When someone teaches you a word, use it three times that day to lock it in memory.
Don’t be the volunteer who spends three months in Peru only speaking English because it’s easier or because you’re shy about your accent. Yes, people will laugh sometimes at your pronunciation. Laugh with them. Making yourself vulnerable by attempting a new language is how you build genuine connections during your volunteer experience.
The Spanish you learn while volunteering in Cusco isn’t just functional language for surviving your trip. It’s a bridge to deeper cultural understanding, more meaningful relationships, and a richer experience overall. It’s showing respect for Peruvian culture by attempting to communicate in their language rather than expecting everyone to accommodate yours.
And honestly, some of my best memories from volunteering in Peru involve hilarious misunderstandings, confused conversations where everyone’s charades-ing and drawing pictures to communicate, and breakthrough moments when I finally managed to express something complex and my host mother or my students or my supervisor actually understood what I meant.
So learn these phrases. Practice them on the plane. Use them awkwardly your first days. Get corrected. Learn more. Keep trying. Your Spanish will improve faster than you imagine possible when you’re using it constantly in real situations that matter.
And when you finally have your first completely Spanish conversation with your host family without checking your translation app once, or when a student you’re teaching understands your Spanish instructions perfectly, or when you successfully navigate an entirely Spanish interaction at the market – you’ll understand why learning the language matters so much to the volunteer experience in Peru.
Buena suerte con tu español, y bienvenido a Perú. Good luck with your Spanish, and welcome to Peru.
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