While many elders only speak Kichwa, their grandchildren may now only speak Spanish. Nevertheless, there are some words that are deeply ingrained in Ecuador's vocabulary, such as:
Guagua - baby
Guambra - kid
Ñaño/a - brother/sister
¡Achachay! - Brr! I'm cold!
Chancleta - flip flop/sandle
These words or phrases are incredibly common in Ecuador, and you will almost never hear the Spanish version of this vocabulary - just Kichwa. Kichwa influence is also seen in the names of many of the volcanoes, in many holidays (such as Inti Raymi, a celebration of the sun), and in the food, clothing, and artisanal goods filling the markets.
I still learn new language terms on a daily basis here. This is one of my favorite parts of speaking Spanish! Successfully using a common saying or slang word always makes me feel proud and reminds me of how far I've come since I first started studing the language in middle school.
