When you stroll through Quito—a vibrant, modern city full of life, movement, and gleaming buildings—you may notice something extraordinary. Among the busy streets, you’ll see people proudly wearing traditional indigenous clothing: their iconic hats, colorful anacos (skirts), and radiant smiles.
This is a powerful reminder that Ecuador—the second-smallest country in South America—is home to astonishing cultural diversity. That diversity extends far beyond what you see: it lives in its languages.
In 1978, the Ecuadorian government officially recognized Quichua and Shuar as representative languages of indigenous groups at risk of disappearing. This acknowledgment was more than symbolic—it affirmed the value of Ecuador’s ancestral tongues.
And nowhere is that value more visible than in the way Quichua has shaped the Spanish spoken in Ecuador today. For over 500 years, the meeting of Spanish and Quichua has created a magical blend. Spanish may be the country’s official language, but Quichua remains one of its most widely spoken native languages—and its influence is everywhere.
You’ll hear it in everyday expressions:
• Araray – exclaimed when you’re hot
• Achachay – when you’re cold
• Atatay – when something smells bad or looks unpleasant
• Ayayay – when you’re in pain
Walk through Ecuador and you’ll hear these words on every corner. They are living proof of how deeply this millennia-old language has woven itself into Ecuadorian Spanish.
At our Spanish school, you won’t just learn standard, official Spanish—you’ll also embark on a unique cultural journey. You’ll discover which Quichua words are still alive and used daily by Ecuadorians.
By learning these expressions, you’ll stop feeling like just another tourist. You’ll start to connect with Ecuador on a deeper level, speaking as locals do, and carrying a piece of its ancestral culture with you.
Because learning Spanish in Ecuador isn’t just about mastering a language. It’s about immersion. It’s about understanding. It’s about becoming part of something bigger.
Come and experience it for yourself. Visit www.simon-bolivar.com and start your journey today.
