The most important languages spoken in Peru are Spanish Quechua and Aymara alongside nearly 50 distinct indigenous Amazonian languages. If you are wondering what language do they speak in peru the direct answer is that over 80 percent of the population speaks Spanish as their first language. However in peru what language do they speak highly depends on where you travel. The coastal cities are entirely Spanish speaking while the high Andes mountains run on Quechua and the deep Amazon rainforest holds dozens of native tribal dialects.
Full List of What Languages Do They Speak in Peru
The Peruvian government officially recognizes 48 distinct indigenous languages spoken across the country today alongside Spanish. To truly understand this massive cultural diversity you must look beyond the modern coastal cities and explore the high Andes mountains and the deep Amazon rainforest where these ancient tribal tongues are still fiercely protected. Here is the complete list of every language thriving in the nation right now.
| Language Name | Language Type | Primary Geographic Region |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Official National | Nationwide (Dominant on the coast) |
| Quechua | Official Native (Andean) | Central and Southern Andes |
| Aymara | Official Native (Andean) | High plateau (Puno/Lake Titicaca) |
| Jaqaru | Indigenous Andean | Yauyos (Lima) |
| Kawki | Indigenous Andean | Yauyos (Lima) |
| Achuar | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Amahuaca | Indigenous Amazonian | Ucayali, Madre de Dios |
| Arabela | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Ashaninka | Indigenous Amazonian | Junín, Pasco, Ucayali |
| Asheninka | Indigenous Amazonian | Ucayali, Pasco |
| Awajún | Indigenous Amazonian | Amazonas, Cajamarca, Loreto |
| Bora | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Cashinahua | Indigenous Amazonian | Ucayali |
| Chamicuro | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Ese Eja | Indigenous Amazonian | Madre de Dios |
| Harakbut | Indigenous Amazonian | Madre de Dios, Cusco |
| Iñapari | Indigenous Amazonian | Madre de Dios |
| Iquitu | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Iskonawa | Indigenous Amazonian | Ucayali |
| Kakataibo | Indigenous Amazonian | Ucayali, Huánuco |
| Kakinte | Indigenous Amazonian | Cusco, Junín |
| Kandozi-Chapra | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Kapanawa | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Kukama-Kukamiria | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Madija (Culina) | Indigenous Amazonian | Ucayali |
| Maijɨki | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Matsés | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Matsigenka | Indigenous Amazonian | Cusco, Madre de Dios |
| Munichi | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Murui-Muinanɨ | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Nanti | Indigenous Amazonian | Cusco |
| Nomatsigenga | Indigenous Amazonian | Junín |
| Ocaina | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Omagua | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Resígaro | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Secoya | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Sharanahua | Indigenous Amazonian | Ucayali, Madre de Dios |
| Shawi | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto, San Martín |
| Shipibo-Konibo | Indigenous Amazonian | Ucayali |
| Shiwilu | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Taushiro | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Ticuna | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Urarina | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Wampis | Indigenous Amazonian | Amazonas, Loreto |
| Yagua | Indigenous Amazonian | Loreto |
| Yaminahua | Indigenous Amazonian | Ucayali |
| Yanesha | Indigenous Amazonian | Pasco, Junín, Huánuco |
| Yine | Indigenous Amazonian | Cusco, Ucayali, Madre de Dios |
| Yora (Nahua) | Indigenous Amazonian | Cusco, Ucayali |
Main Languages Spoken in Peru
Spanish
Spanish is the absolute dominant language across the country used for all government business education and national media. When answering what language do they speak in peru Spanish is the undisputed primary tongue that connects all the different regions and cultures together.
History of the Spanish Language
The language arrived in 1532 with Francisco Pizarro and the Spanish conquistadors. It was heavily enforced during the colonial era replacing native tongues as the language of power and administration. Today the Peruvian dialect is known for being incredibly clear and relatively slow making it very easy for American expats and students to understand when figuring out what language do they speak in peru.
Regions Where the Spanish Language is Spoken
You will hear Spanish everywhere but it completely dominates the Pacific coastline and the capital city. If you search what language do they speak in peru lima or wonder what language do they speak in lima peru the answer is 100 percent Spanish. You will rarely hear indigenous languages in the wealthy coastal districts unless interacting with recent migrants from the mountains.
Quechua
Quechua is the second most widely spoken language in the country and the most prominent indigenous language in all of the Americas. When discussing what languages do they speak in peru Quechua represents the true ancestral heart of the Andean people with millions of fluent speakers today.
History of the Quechua Language
Quechua was the official administrative language of the mighty Inca Empire. The Incas used it to unify their massive territory which stretched from modern day Colombia down to Chile. Despite centuries of Spanish colonial rule the language survived because local mothers continued teaching it to their children in rural farming communities defining exactly what language do they speak in peru up in the high altitudes.
Regions Where the Quechua Language is Spoken
Quechua dominates the central and southern Andes. When tourists arrive to see Machu Picchu and ask what language do they speak in cusco peru they will hear Quechua constantly in the local markets on the streets and among the porters hiking the Inca Trail.
Aymara
Aymara is the third most prominent language in the country natively spoken by communities living at extreme high altitudes. Adding it to the list of what languages do they speak in peru shows the resilience of pre Incan cultures that still thrive today.
History of the Aymara Language
Aymara is actually older than the Inca Empire itself. It was spoken by the ancient Tiwanaku and Wari civilizations. They successfully maintained their distinct linguistic identity even after being conquered by the Incas and later by the Spanish. This deep history heavily shapes what language do they speak in peru today in the southern borderlands.
Regions Where the Aymara Language is Spoken
You will find Aymara speakers almost exclusively in the very far south particularly in the Puno region around the shores of Lake Titicaca right on the border with Bolivia. In peru what language do they speak on the floating islands of Uros The answer is a mix of Aymara and Spanish.
Ashaninka
Ashaninka belongs to the Arawakan language family and represents the largest indigenous group in the Peruvian Amazon. When travelers ask what kind of language do they speak in peru deep in the rainforest Ashaninka is the most prominent answer.
History of the Ashaninka Language
The Ashaninka people have a fierce history of resisting outside influence. They successfully fought off the Spanish missionaries and later survived the brutal rubber boom era of the 19th century protecting their native tongue. They add a fascinating layer to what languages do they speak in peru demonstrating the incredible survival of Amazonian cultures.
Regions Where the Ashaninka Language is Spoken
This language is primarily spoken in the central rainforest valleys particularly in the Junin Pasco and Ucayali regions. Seeing these communities helps you understand exactly what kind of language do they speak in peru when you travel off the grid away from the Andes.
Awajun
Awajun is a vibrant indigenous language belonging to the Jivaroan family. It perfectly answers the question of what kind of language do they speak in peru when you travel far beyond the traditional Spanish speaking cities and enter the dense northern rainforests.
History of the Awajun Language
The Awajun people fiercely defended their jungle territory against both the expanding Inca Empire and the Spanish conquistadors. Because they successfully repelled these massive invasions their native tongue survived completely intact without foreign influence. When American travelers ask what languages do they speak in peru they are often amazed to discover this proud and unconquered Amazonian heritage.
Regions Where the Awajun Language is Spoken
Awajun is heavily spoken in the northern Amazon rainforest right along the border with Ecuador. You will hear it daily in the Amazonas Cajamarca San Martin and Loreto regions. Exploring this geographic spread shows exactly what kind of language do they speak in peru once you leave the high mountains and step into the deep tropical jungle.
English
English is not an official national language but it is the absolute primary foreign language taught in private schools and used throughout the hospitality industry. If you are wondering what language do they speak in peru in english you will find that the entire tourism sector relies heavily on it to communicate seamlessly with international visitors.
History of the English Language in Peru
English arrived firmly in the 19th century through British and American investments in Peruvian railroads mining and agriculture. Foreign business owners needed a common tongue for international trade. Today if you wonder what language do they speak in peru in english the historical answer ties directly to those early corporate investments and the massive modern growth of the global travel industry.
Regions Where the English Language is Spoken
You will hear English constantly in major tourism centers and wealthy corporate districts. Locals speak it fluently in Lima Cusco Arequipa and the town of Aguas Calientes near Machu Picchu. Finding out what language do they speak in peru in english is incredibly easy because any destination that welcomes American tourists or international businesses has a very high concentration of bilingual professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Languages in Peru
You do not need to be fluent but knowing basic Spanish phrases helps immensely. In major tourist areas like Cusco and the Miraflores district of Lima hotel staff and tour guides speak excellent English. However if you take local taxis buy food from street markets or travel to rural towns you will definitely need a translation app or some basic Spanish words to get by comfortably.
Almost all official street signs and highway markers are written exclusively in Spanish. Fortunately most restaurants located near major tourist attractions provide bilingual menus. If you venture out into authentic local neighborhoods to eat you will only find Spanish menus so carrying a camera translation tool on your smartphone is highly recommended.
Learning a few words is a wonderful way to show respect to the local culture but it is absolutely not required. The local guides and vendors in the Sacred Valley are fully bilingual in Quechua and Spanish and most also speak English. However simply learning how to say thank you in Quechua will definitely earn you warm smiles and better interactions with the Andean locals.
According to the national census over 82 percent of the population speaks Spanish as their native mother tongue. When you include indigenous citizens from the mountains and jungle who learned it as a second language that number easily surpasses 85 percent. This makes Spanish the undisputed primary language of the country especially in major coastal cities like Lima where it is spoken almost exclusively.
