How do you say hello and thank you in Peru?
In Peru, greetings are "hola" (informal) or "buenos días" (formal), and "gracias" for thank you. In Andean regions, a few Quechua words like "rimaykullayki" (hello) are greatly appreciated.
Basic Spanish Greetings
Since Spanish is the official language, use:
- « Hola »: informal hello, usable at any time
- « Buenos días »: good morning (until 12pm)
- « Buenas tardes »: good afternoon (12pm-6pm)
- « Buenas noches »: good evening/good night (after 6pm)
- « Gracias »: thank you
- « De nada »: you're welcome
A Few Appreciated Quechua Words
In the Andean regions (Cusco, Arequipa, Huacachina), locals appreciate the effort:
- « Rimaykullayki »: hello in Quechua
- « Solpayki »: thank you in Quechua
To Remember
Peruvians are warm and patient with travelers who attempt a few Spanish words. A smile always accompanies these polite expressions.