Kaqchikel Phrases: learn to greet in the Mayan language of Lake Atitlán

How do you say basic greetings in Kaqchikel?

Kaqchikel is a living language that forms part of the cultural identity of the Guatemalan Highlands. Learning a few basic phrases enriches your visit to Lake Atitlán and creates a genuine connection with local residents. Greetings, polite expressions, and everyday words are the first step to getting closer to this ancestral language with over 400,000 speakers in Guatemala.

Kaqchikel is one of the most widely spoken Mayan languages in Guatemala, especially in the department of Sololá and the Lake Atitlán area. Learning some basic phrases in Kaqchikel is a way to show respect for the local culture and connect more authentically with the Mayan communities you visit.

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Preguntas frecuentes

How do you say good morning in Kaqchikel?
Good morning in Kaqchikel is 'Xsaqar pa q'ij' or, more colloquially, 'Saqarik'. This is the greeting used at the beginning of the day among speakers of this Mayan language in Sololá and the Lake Atitlán area.
How do you say "good afternoon" in Kaqchikel?
Good afternoon in Kaqchikel is 'Xok aq'ab' or 'Aq'abal'. This greeting is used in the afternoon when meeting someone or saying goodbye during the evening hours.
How do you say good night in Kaqchikel?
Good evening in Kaqchikel is also 'Xok aq'ab', though in a nocturnal context. Some speakers use 'Q'ij' to refer to the period of the day. Greetings vary slightly between communities.
How do you say thank you in Kaqchikel?
'Maltyox' is how you say thank you in Kaqchikel. It's one of the most important and appreciated words when you visit Mayan communities around Lake Atitlán. A simple 'Maltyox' can bring a big smile to the local people.
How do you say please in Kaqchikel?
Please, in Kaqchikel it is expressed with 'Jalajöj' or simply with a respectful tone in the request. In many Kaqchikel communities, Spanish is also used mixed with the Mayan language in daily conversations.
How many people speak Kaqchikel in Guatemala?
Kaqchikel is spoken by approximately 400,000 to 500,000 people in Guatemala, mainly in the departments of Sololá, Sacatepéquez, Chimaltenango, and Guatemala City. It is the third most widely spoken Mayan language in the country after Q'eqchi' and K'iche'.
Where is Kaqchikel spoken in the Atitlán area?
In the Lake Atitlán area, Kaqchikel is spoken mainly in Panajachel, San Andrés Semetabaj, Santa Catarina Palopó, San Antonio Palopó, and other towns on the north and east sides of the lake. Tz'utujil is spoken more in the southern towns such as Santiago Atitlán and San Pedro la Laguna.
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