List of Indigenous languages of South America

This article lists the Indigenous languages of South America. Extinct languages are marked by dagger signs (†).

Demographics by country

Demographics of Indigenous languages of South America by country as of 2012, as reported by Crevels (2012):

Language Alternate names Family Branch Population Speaker number Degree of endangerment Country Other countries Mapudungun Mapuche Araucanian 113,680 8,413 seriously endangered Chile Aymara Aymaran 4,104 ? endangered Chile, Bolivia, Peru Gününa Yajich Gününa Küne, Pampa Chonan 1,585 – extinct (1960–1970) Selkʼnam Ona Chonan 696 – extinct (1970s) Chile † Tehuelche Aonekʼenk, Pʼe꞉nkʼenk Chonan 10,590 – extinct (2019) Teushen Tehuesh Chonan – – extinct (early 1900s) Mocoví Moqoyt Laʼqa꞉tqa Guaicuruan 15,837 2,780 endangered Pilagá PitelaGa Laqtak Guaicuruan 4,465 3,494 potentially endangered Toba Namqom Guaicuruan 69,452 30,410 endangered Paraguay Vilela Lule-Vilelan 50 2 moribund Chorote Yofuáha, Yowúwa Matacoan 2,613 1,692 endangered Paraguay Nivaclé Nivaklé, Chulupí, Ashluslay Matacoan 553 224 seriously endangered Paraguay Wichí Mataco, ʼWeenhayek in Bolivia Matacoan 40,036 28,631 potentially endangered Bolivia Santiagueño Quechua Quechuan – 60,000 – 80,000 endangered Ava Guaraní Guaraní in Bolivia, Guaraní Occidental in Paraguay Tupían Tupí-Guaranían 21,807 5,139 endangered Bolivia Guaraní Correntino Guaraní Goyano Tupían Tupí-Guaranían – 100,000 – 1,000,000 potentially endangered Mbyá Tupían Tupí-Guaranían 8,223 3,908 endangered Paraguay, Brazil Tapieté Ñandevá in Paraguay Tupían Tupí-Guaranían 524 178 seriously endangered Bolivia, Paraguay Kunza Atacameño, Likan Antai, Ulipe, Lipe Isolate 3,044 – extinct Chile † Yahgan Yámana Isolate – – extinct (2022) Chile Quechua Quechuan 2,125,000 1,540,833 potentially endangered Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Argentina Aymara Aymaran 1,470,000 1,008,825 potentially endangered Peru, Chile, Argentina Chipaya Uru-Chipayan 2,134 1,800 endangered Uchumataqu Uru Uru-Chipayan 230 – extinct (2004) Chholo Uru-Chipayan ? 1? extinct Puquina Puquinan – – extinct Peru † Kallawaya Mixed – ? seriously endangered Machineri Arawakan 30 13 seriously endangered Brazil Baure Arawakan 886 67 seriously endangered Moxo (Mojeño), Trinitario Arawakan 30,000 3,140 endangered Moxo (Mojeño), Ignaciano Arawakan 2,000 1,080 seriously endangered Paunaca Arawakan ? 1 (2024) moribund Moré Itene Chapacuran 64 44 seriously endangered Chácobo Pano-Tacanan Panoan 516 380 endangered Pacahuara Pano-Tacanan Panoan 46 6 moribund Yaminahua Pano-Tacanan Panoan 93 51 seriously endangered Peru, Brazil Ese Ejja Pano-Tacanan Tacanan 732 518 endangered Peru Araona Pano-Tacanan Tacanan 158 111 seriously endangered Cavineña Pano-Tacanan Tacanan 1,683 601 endangered Tacana Pano-Tacanan Tacanan 7,345 1,153 / 50–500 seriously endangered Maropa Reyesano Pano-Tacanan Tacanan 4,919 53 / 12 moribund Yuki Tupían Tupí-Guaranían 208 140 seriously endangered Sirionó Tupían Tupí-Guaranían 268 187 endangered Guarayo Tupían Tupí-Guaranían 11,953 8,433 potentially endangered Guaraní Chiriguano Tupían Tupí-Guaranían 125,159 43,633 potentially endangered Argentina Tapieté Tupían Tupí-Guaranían 41 29 seriously endangered Argentina, Paraguay ʼWeenhayek Mataco, Wichí in Argentina Matacoan 1,797 1,929 endangered Argentina Ayoreo Zamucoan 1,398 1,398 endangered Paraguay Canichana Isolate 404 4 / 0? extinct Movima Isolate 12,230 1,173 seriously endangered Cayubaba Isolate 664 23 / <3 moribund Itonama Isolate 2,791 389 / < 2 moribund Mosetén Mosetenan 1,588 948 endangered Tsimaneʼ Chimane Mosetenan 8,615 6,351 potentially endangered Leko Isolate 4,186 132 / 20 moribund Yurakaré Isolate 2,829 1,809 endangered Besïro Chiquitano Macro-Gê Chiquitano 195,624 4,615 seriously endangered Brazil Banawá Yafí Banawá Arawan 100 (2006) 100 seriously endangered Deni Arawan 875 (2006) 875 endangered Jamamadí Yamamadí, Kanamantí Arawan 884 (2006) 800 endangered Jarawara Jarauara Arawan 180 (2006) 180 endangered Kulina Culina, Madihá, Madiha, Madija Arawan 3,500 (2006) 3,000 endangered Peru Paumari Palmari Arawan 892 (2006) 290 (2000) seriously endangered Zuruahã Sorowaha, Suruwaha Arawan 136 (2007) 136 seriously endangered Apurinã Popingaré, Kangitê, Kaxiriri, Cacharary Arawakan 3,256 (2006) 2,000 endangered Asháninka Kampa, Axíninka Arawakan 869 (2004) 813 endangered Peru Baniwa Baniwa do Içana, Baniva, Baniua, Walimanai, Wakuenai Arawakan 5,811 (2005) 5,811 potentially endangered Colombia, Venezuela Baré Arawakan 10,275 (2005) 2 moribund Venezuela Enawê-Nawê Salumã Arawakan 445 (2006) 445 endangered Kaixana Caixana Arawakan 505 (2006) 1 moribund Kinikinau Guaná Arawakan 250 (2005) 11 (2007) moribund Kuripako Curripaco, Curipaco, Coripaco Arawakan 1,332 (2005) 1,332 endangered Colombia, Venezuela Machineri Manchineri, Yine Arawakan 937 (2004) 937 endangered Bolivia Mehinako Mehinaku, Meinaku Arawakan 227 (2006) 200 seriously endangered Palikur Palikuʼene, Aukwayene, Aukuyene Arawakan 1,330 (2006) 1,300 endangered French Guiana Parecí Paresí, Arití, Halití Arawakan 2,005 (2008) 1,000 endangered Tariana Tariano Arawakan 1,914 (2002) 100 seriously endangered Colombia Terêna Terena, Tereno Arawakan 19,961 19,000 potentially endangered Wapixana Wapishana, Wapisiana, Uapixana, Vapidiana Arawakan 7,000 (2008) 4,000? endangered Guyana Warekena Werekena, Uarequena Arawakan 806 (206) 20 seriously endangered Venezuela Waurá Waujá, Uará Arawakan 321 (2008) 321 endangered Yawalapití Iaualapití Arawakan 222 (2006) 10? moribund Bakairí Bacairí, Kurâ Cariban 950 (1999) 950 endangered Galibí Galibí do Oiapoque, Kariʼna, Kaliña Cariban 66 only elders seriously endangered Venezuela, French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana Hixkaryana Hyxkaryana Cariban 631 (2006) 600 endangered Ikpeng Txicão, Txikão Cariban 342 (2006) 342 endangered Ingarikó Akawayo, Kapon Cariban 1,170 (2007) 1,170 endangered Guyana, Venezuela Kalapalo Calapalu Cariban 506 (2006) 506 endangered Katxuyana-Xikuyana Kaxuyana-Xikuyana, Kaxuyana, Caxuiana Cariban 230 (2006) 150 seriously endangered Kuikuro Cuicuro Cariban 509 (2006) 600 endangered Makuxí Macuxi, Macushi, Pemon Cariban 23,433 (2006) 15,000 potentially endangered Venezuela Matipú Cariban 103 (2006) 10 moribund Nahukwá Nahukuá, Nafuquá Cariban 124 (2006) 124 seriously endangered Naruvoto Cariban 78 (2003) ? seriously endangered Patamona Kapon, Akawayo Cariban 87 (2006) ? seriously endangered Guyana, Venezuela Taurepang Taulipang, Pemon, Arekuna Cariban 582 (2002) 500 seriously endangered Guyana, Venezuela Tiriyó Trio, Tarëno, Tirió, Tirio, Tarona, Yawi, Pianokoto Cariban 1,156 (2006) 1,156 endangered Suriname Waimirí-Atroarí Kinã, Kinja Cariban 1,120 (2005) 1,120 endangered Waiwai Wai Wai, TunayanaWaiwai, Katuena Cariban 2,914 (2005) 2,914 potentially endangered Guyana Wayana Waiana, Uaiana, Aparaí Cariban 288 (2006) 288 endangered Suriname, French Guiana Yekuana Yeʼkuana, Yekwana, Yecuana, Makiritare, Maquiritare, Maiongong, Soʼto Cariban 430 (2000) 430 endangered Venezuela Kuyubim Kujubí, Cojubím, Kaw Ta Yo Chapacuran 55 (2006) 2 (2001) moribund Miguelenho Uomo Chapacuran 50 1 moribund Moré Chapacuran 30 (2002) 12 (2002) seriously endangered Bolivia Oro Win Oro Towati Chapacuran 56 (2006) 5 moribund Torá Chapacuran 312 (2006) – extinct Wariʼ Pakaa Nova, Pacaás Novos Chapacuran 2,721 (2006) 2,721 potentially endangered Kadiweu Kadiweo, Caduveo, Cadiuéu, Ejiwajigi, Mbaya-Guaicuru Guaicuruan 1,629 (2006) 1,600 endangered Kanamarí Canamarí, Tüküná, Tâkâna Harakmbut-Katukinan 1,654 (2006) most? endangered Katawixí Catawixi, Catauixi, Catawishi Harakmbut-Katukinan 10? (1986) 10? seriously endangered Katukina do Biá Pedá Djapá, Tüküná Harakmbut-Katukinan 450 (2007) 1 (1976) possibly extinct Tsohom Djapá Tucano Harakmbut-Katukinan 100 (1985) 30? seriously endangered Bororo Eastern Bororo, Boe, Boe Wadáru Macro-Gê Bororo 1,390(2006) 1,390 endangered Umutina Omotina, Barbados Macro-Gê Bororo 445 (2009) – extinct Chiquitano Linguará, Anenho Macro-Gê Chiquitano 737 (2006) 50 seriously endangered Bolivia Guató Macro-Gê Guató 370 (2006) 5 moribund Apinajé Apinayé, Apinaié, Timbira Ocidentais Macro-Gê Gêan 1,525 (2006) 1,500 endangered Canela Kanela, Kanela Ramkokamekrá, Kanela Apanyekra Macro-Gê Gêan 2,502 (2006) 2,502 endangered Gavião Perkatêjê Gavião, Parkatêjê, Gavião do Pará, Gavião do Mãe Maria Macro-Gê Gêan 476 (2006) 476 endangered Gavião Pukobiê Pykopjê, Gavião do Maranhão, Timbira Macro-Gê Gêan 494 (2006) 494 endangered Kaingang Caingangue, Kanhgág Macro-Gê Gêan 28,000 (2006) 18,500 potentially endangered Krahô Craô, Kraô, Mehim, Timbira Macro-Gê Gêan 2,184 (2006) 2,184 endangered Kren-Yê Macro-Gê Gêan 30 (1999) 5 (2020) moribund Krikatí Krinkatí, Krikatí-Timbira, Timbira Macro-Gê Gêan 682 (2005) 682 endangered Mebêngokrê Kayapó, Xikrin, Put Karot Macro-Gê Gêan 7,266 (2006) 7,266 potentially endangered Panará Krenhakarore, Krenakore, Krenakarore, Kreen-Akarore, Índios Gigantes Macro-Gê Gêan 374 (2008) 374 endangered Kisêdjê Suyá, Suiá, Mëkisêdjê Macro-Gê Gêan 351 (2006) 351 endangered Tapayuna Suyá Orientais, Novos Suyá, Beiço-de-Pau Macro-Gê Gêan 58 (1995) 58? seriously endangered Xakriabá Xacriabá, Xikriabá Macro-Gê Gêan 7,665 (2006) 0? possibly extinct Xavante Aʼuwe, Awen Macro-Gê Gêan 13,303 (2007) 13,303 potentially endangered Xerente Akwê, Akwen, Acuen Macro-Gê Gêan 2,569 (2006) 2,569 potentially endangered Xokleng Shokleng, Xokrén, Laklanô, Bugres, Botocudos, Aweikoma, Kaingang de Santa Catarina, Aweikoma-Kaingang Macro-Gê Gêan 887 (2004) 100 seriously endangered Arikapú Aricapú Macro-Gê Jabutí 30 (2006) 1 moribund Djeoromitxí Jeoromitxí, Jabutí Macro-Gê Jabutí 165 (2006) 30 (2008) seriously endangered Yatê Iatê, Fulniô, Carnijó Macro-Gê Yatê 2,930 (1999) 1,000 endangered Javaé Karajá Macro-Gê Karajá 1,208 (2006) 800? endangered Karajá Carajá, Iny Macro-Gê Karajá 2,532 (2006) 2,250 endangered Xambioá Karajá do Norte, Ixybiowa, Iraru Mahãdu Macro-Gê Karajá 269 (2006) 10 moribund Krenak Crenaque, Crenac, Krenac, Nakrehé, Krenak-Nakrehé, Borun; Botocudos; Aimorés Macro-Gê Krenakan 204 (2006) 10 moribund Maxakalí Maxacalí, Monacó, Kumanuxú, Tikmuún Macro-Gê Maxakalí 1,271 (2006) 1,271 endangered Pataxó Pataxó do Norte, Pataxó do Sur, Hã Hã Hãe Macro-Gê Maxakalí 2,219 (2005) – extinct (late 1900s) Ofayé Ofaié, Opayé, Ofayé-Xavante Macro-Gê Ofayé 61 (2006) 12 seriously endangered Rikbaktsá Erikbaktsá, Erigpaktsá, Orelhas de Pau, Canoeiros Macro-Gê Rikbaktsá 1,117 (2006) 900 endangered Mura Muran 9,299 (2006) – extinct Pirahã Mura-Pirahã Muran 389 (2006) 389 endangered Dâw Kamã Nadahup 120 120 seriously endangered Hup Hupdá, Hupdé, Hupdá Makú Nadahup 1,500 1,500 endangered Colombia Kuyabi Kuyawi Nadahup 20 20 seriously endangered Nadëb Nadöbö, Anodöb, Makunadöbö, Guariba, Guariba Tapuyo, Kabori, Xiriwai Nadahup 350 350 endangered Yuhup Nadahup 617 617 endangered Colombia Latundê Northern Nambikwara (Nambikwara do Norte) Nambikwaran 19 19 seriously endangered Lakondê Northern Nambikwara (Nambikwara do Norte) Nambikwaran 7 1 seriously endangered Mamaindê Northern Nambikwara (Nambikwara do Norte) Nambikwaran 250 250 endangered Negarotê Northern Nambikwara (Nambikwara do Norte) Nambikwaran 80 80 seriously endangered Tawandê Northern Nambikwara (Nambikwara do Norte) Nambikwaran few 1 moribund Southern Nambikwara Nambikwara do Sul Nambikwaran 721 721 seriously endangered Sabanê Nambikwaran 140 3 moribund Arara Shawãdawa Arara do Acre, Shawanauá Panotacanan Panoan 332 (2004) 9 (2000) moribund Katukina-Kanamari Katukina [Tüküná, Pi:Dyapa], Kanamarí [Tüküna Kanamarí, Canamari], Tsohom-Dyapa [Tsunhum-Djapá, Tyonhwak Dyapa], Katukina do Acre, Katukina Pano Panotacanan Panoan 2,239 (2008) 2,239 potentially endangered Kaxararí Caxarari, Kaxariri Panotacanan Panoan 322 (2009) 300? seriously endangered Kaxinawá Caxinauá, Cashinahuá, Cashinahua, Hantxa Kuin, Huni Kuin Panotacanan Panoan 4,500 (2004) 4,500 potentially endangered Peru Korubo Panotacanan Panoan 26 (2007) 26 seriously endangere