Runasimi
|ru-na-si-mi|
/ˈɾuna ˈsimi/
people's language
Etymology
'Runasimi' originates from Quechua, specifically the words 'runa' and 'simi', where 'runa' meant 'person; people' and 'simi' meant 'mouth; language'.
'Runasimi' developed as a compound in Quechua ('runa' + 'simi') and was later borrowed into Spanish-language and academic references as 'runasimi' or 'Runa Simi'.
Initially, it meant 'people's mouth' or 'people's speech', but over time it evolved into its current usage referring specifically to the Quechua language as a whole.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the Quechua language (the indigenous language family spoken in the central Andes).
Runasimi is one of the major indigenous languages spoken in the Andean region.
Synonyms
Noun 2
literally 'people's language' (from Quechua 'runa' = person/people, 'simi' = mouth/language).
The term Runasimi literally means 'people's language' in Quechua.
Last updated: 2025/09/17 11:25