Georgian script on a monument in Tbilisi.

I see y’all in my Google Analytics…

Visitors who bounce after discovering that my memoir and podcast, Do You Speak Georgian?, does not contain lessons on the Georgian language, this post is for you.

Read on for 20 essential Georgian words and phrases you’ll need during your travels in the South Caucasus.

Understanding Georgian

As one of 40 languages native to the Caucasus region, Georgian is only spoken by four million people. It has no known linguistic relatives.

Though history and legend say different things about Georgian’s origins, both agree that the language evolved through two different forms – the Asomtavruli and Nuskhuri – before settling at its current iteration, the Mkhedruli.

Here’s some key takeaways from Georgian:

It has a 33-letter alphabet.
It’s written exactly as it’s pronounced, regardless of grammar, and vice versa.
It’s home to groupings of consonants called “consonant clusters”.

Navigating Common Scenarios

1. Destination Names

I know, I know…the first Georgian word on this list isn’t a word at all. It’s a series of them, but stick with me.

Knowing the Georgian spelling and pronunciation of key locations will get you far in the Land of the Golden Fleece, especially if you hope to successfully use Georgia’s public transportation network.

Compared to Western Europe, where travelers enjoy cushy rail travel, Georgians and other peoples of the New East get around in shared taxis called marshrutkas. As a quick, albeit no-frills, way of traversing the Caucasus, gone are formal timetables and ticketing processes for shared taxis; placards, displayed on windshields, are the primary way of knowing where you’re going instead. And outside of tourist areas, said placards are rarely written in English.

The side image contains some key destination names to familiarize yourself with.

2. What do you want?

The rallying cry of bebiebi (the plural form of “grandma”, Georgia’s version of babushka) the world over.

Meaning “what do you want?”, ra ghindat (რა გინდატ) is one of many common phrases you’ll hear in Georgia, occurring when you appear apprehensive or confused.

Chances are you’ll hear this question during mealtimes or when shopping; respond using one of the common nouns or phrases below. If you need something more complex than your language skills allow, pointing and miming also works well.

3. How much does this cost?

Purchases will likely be a frequent part of your visit to Georgia; ramdeni lari means “how much does this cost”, with ramdeni meaning “how many” and lari meaning “money”.

Always ask this question before opening your wallet, especially when hailing taxis, paying marshrutka drivers, or shopping at outdoor markets.

4. Yes and No

Yes and no, ara (არა), are where things get tricky in Georgian.

When refusing something in Georgia, know that “no” is negotiable; prepare to say it multiple times before being left alone, especially if you’re a single woman or person of color. If you truly don’t want something, drive your point home by keeping a straight face and waving your hand from side to side. Be firm if need be.

Regarding “yes”, there are three forms of this word in Georgian. See below for how each is used:

K’i (კი). Formal.
Ho (ჰო). Informal.
Kho (ხო). Informal.

5. Do you speak…?

English isn’t widely spoken outside of young circles in Tbilisi, but it never hurts to check. Do so by asking inglisuri itsi? (ინგლისური იცი?)

Russian speakers, though Russian is widely and fluently spoken as a second language in Georgia, know that the history behind spoken Russian in the former Soviet Union is tumultuous; respect the fact that Georgia is separate from Russia by asking a local, in Georgian first, if they speak Russian before switching languages: rusuli itsi? (რუსული იცი?)

6. Food Names

Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, is home to a bustling restaurant scene, but chances are you’ll also want to do some cooking of your own during your visit. And while large cities in Georgia have international supermarkets, the best prices and produce are found at small local shops and farmer’s markets. The shopowners at said local markets, however, seldom speak English.

Here’s a list of everyday food items:

Water - ts’q’ali (წყალი)
Bread - p’uri (პური)
Tomato - pamidori (პამიდორი)
Eggs - k’vertskhi (კვერცხი)
Chicken - katami (ქათამი)
Milk - rdze (რძე)
Tea - chai (ჩაი)
Wine - ghvino (ღვინო)

Culture

Sighnaghi, a popular wine lover’s destination in Eastern Georgia. Photo by Aydin Hassan on Unsplash

7. Bicho

This word caught me by surprise during the early days of my tenure in Georgia. What started as English profanity, however, quickly morphed into an understanding that bicho (ბიჩჰო) is merely the Georgian word for bro, an affectionate moniker, given to sons, brothers, and male friends.

8. Good Girl

This phrase is reserved for well-behaved doggos in the West, but in Georgia, “good girl”, or k’argi gogo (კარგი გოგო), is doled out to women across the age spectrum.

Unlike the above bicho, however, k’argi gogo contains insidious undertones, as it’s an infantilizing compliment given to women who adhere to Georgia’s patriarchal social traditions.

When encountering this word (and you most certainly will, ladies), I recommend taking it in stride. Smile, nod, and go on with your day.

9. Gamarjoba

Gamarjoba (გამარჯობა), or “hello”, is more than just a salutation in Georgia. In addition to being used to greet passersby and shop owners, variations of garmarjoba, such as gaumarjos, or “victory to you”, are used to make toasts at Georgian supras.

10. Eat

Food is a cornerstone of Georgian life. It’s the star of celebrations, holidays, and hospitality, a testament to a host’s ability to provide for their friends and family.

As a foreign guest, arrive prepared to frequently hear chama (ჭამა), the Georgian word for eat, at supras and everyday meals alike. Though it sounds demanding, know that it comes from a benevolent place, as a well-fed guest is a happy, loved, and healthy guest in Georgia.

Etiquette and Conversation

Street-side conversations in Tbilisi, Georgia. Photo by Daniel Newman on Unsplash

Georgians are renowned for their hospitality and curiosity; as a foreign visitor, locals will pepper you with questions about your origin, life, and reasons for traveling in Georgia.

Wow them with the below conversational and etiquette phrases.

11. Thank You and You’re Welcome

Manners will get you everywhere when you travel; never forget to say gmadlobt (გმადლობთ), thank you (didi madloba (დიდი მადლობა), many thank yous, if you’re fancy), and arapers (არაფერს), you’re welcome.

12. Excuse Me

While Georgians aren’t as uptight about etiquette as the French, a well-placed bodishi (ბოდიში), excuse me, will increase the odds that a local will help you.

13. Where is the bathroom?

T’ualet’i sad aris? (ტუალეტი სად არის) is another useful everyday Georgian phrase, especially since you’re almost guaranteed to encounter tummy troubles when you travel.

14. How do you say … in Georgian?

For the language lovers among you, building vocabulary will help you obtain fluency. Hence why rogor ikneba kartulad ...? (როგორ იქნება ქართულად ...?), or “how do you say … in Georgian?” is another priceless phrase in your linguistic toolkit.

15. What is your name?

After introducing yourself, start your conversations on the right note by asking sheni sakheli? (შენი სახელი?), or “what is your name?”.

16. My name is…

When asked sheni sakheli, respond with me mkvia … (მე მქვია…), or “my name is …”.

Safety

I wrote this section primarily for solo female travelers, as unsavory characters are unfortunately attracted to vulnerability, especially in heavily patriarchal, off-the-beaten-path countries where solo female visitors are an anomaly.

While I hope you won’t ever have to use the below phrases, know that the key to applying them is to be as loud and disruptive as possible when you say them. The reason for this is because Georgia, and other nations in the Caucasus region, are home to collectivist cultures, and people in collectivist cultures are highly sensitive to shame.

17. Help! მიშველეთ! (mishvelet!)

18. Stop! გაჩერდით! (gacherdit!)

19. Leave me alone! თავი დამანებე! (tavi damanebe!)

20. Call the police! პოლიცია გამოიძახე! (ṗ'olitsia gamoidzakhe!)

Which Georgian word looks most useful to you?

20 Essential Georgian Words and Phrases You’ll Actually Use