Your First Georgian Conversation: Easy Starter Phrases

Why Georgian Phrases Matter More Than Ever in 2026

Tourism to Georgia has grown sharply since 2024, and so has visitor frustration in smaller towns and villages where English is rarely spoken. Tbilisi’s central districts have plenty of English-speaking staff, but step into a local bakery in Gori, a wine cellar in Kakheti, or a guesthouse in Svaneti, and you are largely on your own. A handful of Georgian phrases — even pronounced imperfectly — changes everything. Georgians respond to the effort with warmth that goes well beyond polite tolerance. This guide gives you the practical starter kit: real phrases, honest pronunciation guidance, and the cultural context that makes them land correctly.

What Makes Georgian Sound So Different

Georgian belongs to the Kartvelian language family. This is its own independent family — completely unrelated to Russian, Turkish, Arabic, Persian, or any Indo-European language. If you speak English, French, Hindi, or even Armenian, you have zero linguistic head start. That sounds intimidating, but it is also liberating: there is no false familiarity to unlearn.

The sounds that trip up most beginners are the consonant clusters. Georgian words can stack three, four, or even five consonants in a row without a vowel to break them up. The word for “friend” is mgeli — which means “wolf,” actually — and the word for “I love you” is miqvarkhar. Neither of those looks pronounceable at first glance. Georgian has several sounds that do not exist in English:

• Ejective consonants — sounds like k’, t’, p’ that are sharply “popped” from the throat with extra force. In romanisation, they are usually written with an apostrophe.
• The “gh” sound — a deep, throaty fricative similar to the French “r” or the Arabic “غ”. It appears in common words like gmadlobt (thank you).
• The “kh” sound — like the Scottish “loch” or the Spanish “j”. Very common in Georgian.
• The “r” — rolled, similar to Spanish or Italian, not the English approximant.

None of this should discourage you. Georgians are not expecting perfection. A softened, approximate version of any phrase will be understood and appreciated. The goal here is communication, not a linguistics exam.

The Alphabet You Will See Everywhere

Georgian uses its own unique script called Mkhedruli (მხედრული), which means “of the horsemen” or “military script.” It has 33 letters, each corresponding to a specific sound, and it has been in use in its current form since the 10th century. Unlike Arabic or Hebrew, Mkhedruli is written left to right. Unlike Latin or Cyrillic, it has no uppercase and lowercase distinction — all letters are the same height.

You will see Mkhedruli on every street sign, shop front, menu, and bus destination board in Georgia. You do not need to learn to write it for a short visit, but being able to identify a few key characters is genuinely useful:

• მ — the letter “m” (appears in madloba, thank you)
• გ — the letter “g” (starts gamarjoba, hello)
• ბ — the letter “b”
• ა — the letter “a” (the most common vowel)
• ო — the letter “o”

In 2026, most major road signs in Tbilisi, Batumi, and along the main highways now include Latin-script transliterations alongside Mkhedruli. The Georgian government standardised transliteration rules in the early 2020s, so you will see consistent romanisation on official signage. In rural areas, Mkhedruli-only signs are still common, which is where even basic alphabet recognition pays off.

Your First Ten Words

Before full phrases, anchor yourself with ten individual words. These appear in almost every interaction you will have in Georgia. The romanisation below follows Georgian pronunciation, not English spelling conventions.

1. Gamarjoba (გამარჯობა) — Hello. Pronounced: ga-mar-JO-ba. The stress falls on the third syllable.
2. Gmadlobt (გმადლობთ) — Thank you (formal/plural). Pronounced: gma-DLOBT. The “g” and “m” sit together without a vowel.
3. Madloba (მადლობა) — Thank you (informal). Pronounced: mad-LO-ba. Easier for beginners.
4. Ki (კი) — Yes. Pronounced: kee.
5. Ara (არა) — No. Pronounced: AH-ra.
6. Batono (ბატონო) — Sir / Mr (respectful address for a man). Pronounced: ba-TO-no.
7. Kalbatono (ქალბატონო) — Madam / Ms (respectful address for a woman). Pronounced: kal-ba-TO-no.
8. Ukatsravad (უკაცრავად) — Sorry / Excuse me. Pronounced: u-kats-ra-VAD.
9. Diakh (დიახ) — Yes (more formal than ki). Pronounced: dee-AKH. The “kh” is the throaty sound.
10. Gaumarjos (გაუმარჯოს) — Cheers! (a toast). Pronounced: ga-u-MAR-jos.

Learn these ten first. Even knowing just gamarjoba and madloba will earn you visible goodwill in every part of the country.

Greetings and Goodbyes

Georgian greetings are specific to context and relationship. Using the right one signals respect and cultural awareness.

Standard Greetings

• Gamarjoba (გამარჯობა) — Hello (to one person). This literally translates as “be victorious,” rooted in Georgian warrior culture.
• Gamarjobat (გამარჯობათ) — Hello (to a group, or formal singular). The -t suffix marks plural or formality throughout Georgian.
• Rogor khar? (როგორ ხარ?) — How are you? (informal, to someone you know). Pronounced: RO-gor khar.
• Rogor brdzandebit? (როგორ ბრძანდებით?) — How are you? (formal). Use this with older people and strangers. Pronounced: RO-gor br-dzan-DE-bit.
• Kargad var, gmadlobt — I am fine, thank you. Pronounced: KAR-gad var, gma-DLOBT.

Time-of-Day Greetings

• Dila mshvidobisa (დილა მშვიდობისა) — Good morning. Pronounced: DI-la mshvi-do-BI-sa.
• Saghamo mshvidobisa (საღამო მშვიდობისა) — Good evening. Pronounced: sa-GHA-mo mshvi-do-BI-sa.
• Ghame mshvidobisa (ღამე მშვიდობისა) — Good night. Pronounced: GHA-me mshvi-do-BI-sa.

Goodbyes

• Nakhvamdis (ნახვამდის) — Goodbye. Pronounced: nakh-VAM-dis. Literally: “until we see each other.”
• Mokhvedrit (მობრძანდით) — Come again / Welcome back (said to a departing guest). You will hear this as you leave a shop or guesthouse.
• Kargad iru — Take care (informal). Literally: “be well.”

Politeness Phrases That Open Doors

Georgian hospitality — the concept that “a guest is a gift from God” — is genuine and deep. Matching it with even basic politeness phrases creates a real connection, not just a transactional exchange.

• Tkven gthkhovt — Please (formal). Georgian speakers often skip “please” in everyday speech, but foreigners using it are received warmly.
• Bodishi (ბოდიში) — Sorry / Excuse me (casual). Easier to pronounce than ukatsravad and perfectly appropriate.
• Ara ushavs (არა უშავს) — No problem / It’s fine. Pronounced: AH-ra u-SHA-vs. Useful when someone apologises to you.
• GikhariaT (გიხარიათ) — You’re welcome (formal). Pronounced: gi-kha-ri-AT.
• Ar ici inglisuri? — Do you speak English? Pronounced: ar I-tsi in-gli-SU-ri. Adding this phrase shows respect for the local language before defaulting to English.
• Inglisuri ar vici — I don’t speak Georgian (literally: I don’t know Georgian). A useful self-deprecating opener.

A small cultural note: Georgians often respond to “thank you” with ara ushavs or gikvarT (we love you — plural, meaning “we appreciate you”). Do not be startled. It is warmth, not overfamiliarity.

Asking and Answering Basic Questions

These question structures give you practical tools for navigation, shopping, and getting oriented — the three situations where language matters most for a short-stay visitor.

Location and Navigation

• Sad aris…? (სად არის…?) — Where is…? Pronounced: sad A-ris. Fill in the destination after.
• Sad aris metro? — Where is the metro? (Useful in Tbilisi, where the metro expanded its Green Line eastward in 2025.)
• Marjvniv — To the right. Pronounced: mar-JV-niv.
• Marckhvniv — To the left. Pronounced: mar-TSK-h-niv.
• Pirdapir — Straight ahead. Pronounced: pir-da-PIR.
• Shemodite — Come in. You will hear this at every shop doorway.

Shopping and Prices

• Ra ghirs? (რა ღირს?) — How much does it cost? Pronounced: ra GHIRS. Essential phrase.
• Ძviri aris — It is expensive. Pronounced: DZV-i-ri A-ris.
• Iq’ideba? — Is it for sale? / Can I buy this?
• Minda… — I want… Pronounced: MIN-da. Simple and widely understood.
• Maqvs kartuli puli — I have Georgian money (lari). Useful when markets wonder if you intend to pay in foreign currency.

Numbers 1–10 and Why They Matter

Georgian numbers are not borrowed from any neighbouring language — they are entirely native Kartvelian words. Knowing 1 through 10 lets you understand prices quoted to you, agree on taxi fares, ask for quantities at a market stall, and participate in the first round of a supra toast count.

• 1 — Erti (ერთი) — ER-ti
• 2 — Ori (ორი) — O-ri
• 3 — Sami (სამი) — SA-mi
• 4 — Otkhi (ოთხი) — OT-khi (the “kh” is throaty)
• 5 — Khuti (ხუთი) — KHU-ti
• 6 — Ekvsi (ექვსი) — EK-vsi
• 7 — Shvidi (შვიდი) — SHVI-di
• 8 — Rva (რვა) — RVA (two consonants, no vowel between)
• 9 — Tskhra (ცხრა) — TSKH-ra (three consonants at the start)
• 10 — Ati (ათი) — A-ti

Yes, No, and the Art of Georgian Ambiguity

Georgian has a quirk that confuses almost every first-time visitor: the head gestures for yes and no are reversed compared to most Western countries. A slight tilt of the head from side to side means yes. A nod up and down — or a slight backward tilt of the head — can mean no or uncertainty. This is not universal across all Georgian speakers, and younger urban Georgians often use Western-style nodding, but in rural areas and with older speakers, the traditional gesture pattern still holds.

Verbally:

• Ar vici (არ ვიცი) — I don’t know. Pronounced: ar VI-tsi. Extremely useful.
• Albat (ალბათ) — Maybe / Probably. Pronounced: al-BAT.
• Ar minda — I don’t want (it). A polite but clear refusal when offered food or drink you want to decline.

When declining a second helping of food or a refilled glass at a family table — and Georgian hosts will absolutely try to refill both — gmadlobt, gats (“thank you, enough”) is the most natural phrase. Saying ara flatly can feel abrupt in that warm, generous context.

Phrases for Food and Drink Situations

Georgian food culture is communal, generous, and central to social life. The supra — a feast overseen by a tamada (toastmaster) — is the framework for many significant meals. Even at casual restaurant tables, toasting is expected, and knowing the right phrase at the right moment matters.

At the Table

• Gaumarjos! — Cheers! The standard toast. Everyone touches glasses.
• Gemrielia! — It’s delicious! Pronounced: gem-ri-E-lia. Say this after your first bite of anything and watch the host’s face.
• Minda khachapuri — I want khachapuri (cheese bread).
• Minda wkali — I want water. Pronounced: MIN-da TSKA-li. Note: “wkali” in standard romanisation is pronounced tskali.
• Minda ghvino — I want wine. Pronounced: MIN-da GHvi-no.
• Ar mivkhar — I don’t eat (meat/dairy). Combine with the food word: ar mivkhar khorci (I don’t eat meat).
• Angarishi, tkven gthkhovt — The bill, please. Essential in any café or restaurant.

Toasting Culture

At a supra, the tamada leads each toast with a speech, then says gaumarjos and everyone drinks. As a guest, you may be invited to offer your own toast. Keep it sincere and short. Something like: “Saqartvelostvis — gaumarjos!” (“To Georgia — cheers!”) will be received with genuine delight. The crowd will respond with “Gaumarjos!” in return.

2026 Budget Reality for Language Learning Resources

If you want to go beyond starter phrases, here is what learning Georgian actually costs in 2026.

Free and Low-Cost Options

• Apps (free tier) — Duolingo added a Georgian course in late 2024. By 2026 it covers roughly 500 vocabulary items and basic grammar. Free. Good for alphabet recognition and survival vocabulary.
• YouTube channels — Several Georgian language teachers run free channels with structured beginner lessons. Search “Learn Georgian 2026” for the most recently updated content.
• Georgian government language portal — The Ministry of Education’s “Georgian for Everyone” online platform (updated 2025) offers free audio-based lessons designed for tourists and new residents.

Paid Learning Resources

• Budget: 0–30 GEL — Phrasebook apps, PDF phrase guides, Duolingo premium for one month.
• Mid-range: 30–150 GEL per month — Online tutoring via platforms like iTalki or Preply. Georgian tutors typically charge 40–90 GEL per hour in 2026 for structured lessons.
• Comfortable: 150–500 GEL per month — Intensive private lessons in Tbilisi (in-person), access to structured academic courses, or enrolment in the Tbilisi State University short summer language programme (which by 2026 runs three-week intensives for visitors each July and August).

On the Ground in Georgia

• Language exchange meetups — Free. Tbilisi has active language exchange communities meeting weekly, several of which specifically pair Georgian speakers wanting English practice with English speakers learning Georgian.
• Phrasebooks in GEL — Pocket Georgian phrasebooks are available at most Tbilisi bookshops and airport shops for 15–25 GEL.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Georgian difficult to learn for English speakers?

Georgian is ranked among the harder languages for English speakers, primarily because of its unique script, consonant clusters, and verb system that has no European equivalent. However, basic spoken communication — greetings, numbers, polite phrases — is very achievable within a few hours of focused study. Pronunciation is consistent: each letter maps to exactly one sound.

Do I need to learn Georgian if most Georgians in Tbilisi speak English?

In Tbilisi’s tourist districts, English is increasingly common in 2026. Outside the capital — in villages, rural guesthouses, small town markets, and mountain regions — English is rare. A handful of Georgian phrases gives you meaningful access to those places and to local people who would otherwise remain completely out of reach.

How do I type in Georgian on my phone?

Both Android and iOS support Georgian keyboard input natively. Go to your keyboard settings, add a new language, and select Georgian (Mkhedruli). The layout is phonetically mapped — Georgian letters roughly correspond to their Latin sound equivalents, so switching between keyboards is not as disorienting as it first appears. Most Georgians also accept romanised Georgian in text messages.

What is the polite way to address an older Georgian person I don’t know?

Use batono for an older man and kalbatono for an older woman, followed by their first name if you know it — for example, “Batono Giorgi.” This is the standard respectful form of address and is always appreciated. Skipping the title and using only a first name with an elder can read as rude.

Are Georgian phrases written consistently in Latin script, or does romanisation vary?

Romanisation of Georgian has been officially standardised by the Georgian government, and official signage and documents now follow consistent rules. However, older maps, menus, and personal names may use earlier, inconsistent romanisation systems. The same word can appear as “Tbilisi,” “T’bilisi,” or “Tiflis” in historical texts. For learning purposes, stick to the National System of Romanization (NSR), which is what this guide uses.

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📷 Featured image by Abhinav Singh on Unsplash.