Basic Georgian Phrases for Beginners: 50+ Essential Expressions
Learning a handful of practical Georgian phrases is one of the fastest ways to feel confident in everyday situations. Whether you are preparing for a trip to Tbilisi, connecting with Georgian friends, or simply curious about the language, these 50+ phrases will give you a solid foundation for real conversations. Each phrase below includes a transliteration so you can start speaking right away, even before you master the Georgian alphabet.
Greetings and Polite Expressions
Georgians are famously warm and hospitable, so greeting people properly goes a long way. These are the phrases you will use most often in daily interactions.
- გამარჯობა (gamarjoba) - Hello (literally "victory to you")
- გამარჯობათ (gamarjobat) - Hello (formal, used with elders or strangers)
- როგორ ხარ? (rogor khar?) - How are you? (informal)
- როგორ ბრძანდებით? (rogor brdzandebit?) - How are you? (formal)
- კარგად, შენ? (kargad, shen?) - Fine, and you?
- დილა მშვიდობისა (dila mshvidobisa) - Good morning
- საღამო მშვიდობისა (saghamo mshvidobisa) - Good evening
- ღამე მშვიდობისა (ghame mshvidobisa) - Good night
- ნახვამდის (nakhvamdis) - Goodbye
- კარგად იყავი (kargad iqavi) - Take care (informal)
Thank You, Please, and Polite Words
Polite words are the backbone of any language interaction. Georgians deeply appreciate foreigners who make the effort to use these basic courtesy expressions.
- გმადლობთ (gmadlobt) - Thank you (formal)
- მადლობა (madloba) - Thanks (casual)
- დიდი მადლობა (didi madloba) - Thank you very much
- არაფრის (arapris) - You're welcome
- თუ შეიძლება (tu sheidzleba) - Please / If possible
- ბოდიში (bodishi) - Sorry / Excuse me
- უკაცრავად (uk'atsravad) - Excuse me (formal)
- კი (ki) - Yes
- არა (ara) - No
- რა თქმა უნდა (ra tkma unda) - Of course
Introducing Yourself in Georgian
Being able to introduce yourself is essential whether you are at a supra (Georgian feast), meeting someone in a hostel, or starting a language exchange. Here are the key phrases for self-introduction.
- მე ვარ... (me var...) - I am...
- ჩემი სახელია... (chemi sakhelia...) - My name is...
- საიდან ხარ? (saidan khar?) - Where are you from?
- მე ვარ ამერიკიდან (me var amerikidan) - I am from America
- სასიამოვნოა (sasiamovnoa) - Nice to meet you
- ქართულს ვსწავლობ (kartuls vstsvavlob) - I am learning Georgian
- ცოტას ვლაპარაკობ ქართულად (tsotas vlaparakob kartulad) - I speak a little Georgian
Asking for Help and Directions
These phrases are lifesavers when navigating a new city or trying to communicate when your vocabulary runs out.
- ინგლისურად ლაპარაკობ? (inglisurd laparakob?) - Do you speak English?
- ვერ გავიგე (ver gavige) - I did not understand
- გაიმეორე, თუ შეიძლება (gaimeoret, tu sheidzleba) - Can you repeat that?
- სად არის...? (sad aris...?) - Where is...?
- რამდენი ღირს? (ramdeni ghirs?) - How much does it cost?
- დამეხმარეთ, თუ შეიძლება (damekhmaret, tu sheidzleba) - Can you help me, please?
Dining and Restaurant Phrases
Georgian cuisine is legendary, and knowing a few restaurant phrases will enhance your dining experience enormously. Waiters and hosts will be genuinely pleased to hear you try.
- მენიუ, თუ შეიძლება (meniu, tu sheidzleba) - Menu, please
- რას მირჩევთ? (ras mirchevt?) - What do you recommend?
- ძალიან გემრიელია (dzalian gemrielia) - It is very delicious
- ანგარიში, თუ შეიძლება (angarishi, tu sheidzleba) - The bill, please
- გაუმარჯოს! (gaumarjos!) - Cheers! (used during toasts)
Tips for Remembering Georgian Phrases
The most effective way to learn Georgian phrases is through spaced repetition and real practice. Start with 5 phrases per day, say them aloud, and try using them in context. Georgian pronunciation is phonetic once you learn the alphabet, so every letter is always pronounced the same way. This makes it much easier to remember phrases once you connect the sounds to the script. Flashcards with audio are especially helpful because Georgian has some sounds that do not exist in English, such as the ejective consonants.
Pro tip: Georgians are incredibly supportive of foreigners learning their language. Even a simple "gamarjoba" will earn you smiles and encouragement everywhere you go.