Basic Georgian Phrases for Tourists: A Complete Guide
Why Learn Basic Georgian Phrases?
Georgia is a beautiful country with a unique language and rich cultural heritage. While many people in cities like Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi speak English, knowing a few basic Georgian phrases can enhance your travel experience, help you connect with locals, and make navigation easier.
Essential Georgian Phrases for Tourists
1. Greetings & Common Expressions
| English | Georgian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | გამარჯობა | Gamarjoba |
| Good morning | დილა მშვიდობისა | Dila mshvidobisa |
| Good evening | საღამო მშვიდობისა | Saghamoshvidobisa |
| Goodbye | ნახვამდის | Nakhvamdis |
| Thank you | მადლობა | Madloba |
| Yes | დიახ | Diakh |
| No | არა | Ara |
| Excuse me | უკაცრავად | Ukatsravad |
| Please | გთხოვთ | Gt’khovt’ |
| I don’t understand | ვერ გავიგე | Ver gavige |
2. Asking for Directions
If you’re exploring Georgia, these phrases will help you navigate more easily:
| English | Georgian | Pronunciation |
| Where is…? | სად არის…? | Sad aris…? |
| How do I get to…? | როგორ მივიდე…? | Rogor mivide…? |
| Left | მარცხნივ | Martskhniv |
| Right | მარჯვნივ | Marjvniv |
| Straight ahead | პირდაპირ | Pirdapir |
| Near | ახლოს | Akhlos |
| Far | შორს | Shors |
You can also use Google Maps or apps like Bolt and Yandex Taxi to navigate around Georgia.
3. Ordering Food in a Restaurant
Georgia is famous for its delicious cuisine, including khinkali, khachapuri, and mtsvadi. Here are some useful phrases for dining out:
| English | Georgian | Pronunciation |
| Menu, please | მენიუ, თუ შეიძლება | Meniu, tu sheidzleba |
| I would like… | მინდა… | Minda… |
| Water | წყალი | Tskali |
| Wine | ღვინო | Gvino |
| Beer | ლუდი | Ludi |
| Bill, please | ანგარიში, თუ შეიძლება | Angarishi, tu sheidzleba |
| Delicious | გემრიელი | Gemrieli |
For traditional dining experiences, check out restaurants listed on TripAdvisor or Lonely Planet.
4. Shopping & Bargaining
When shopping at markets, bazaars, or souvenir shops, these phrases can be useful:
| English | Georgian | Pronunciation |
| How much is this? | რამდენია ეს? | Ramdenia es? |
| Too expensive | ძვირია | Dzviria |
| Can you give me a discount? | ფასდაკლება შეიძლება? | Pasdakleba sheidzleba? |
| I like this | ეს მომწონს | Es momts’ons |
| I will buy it | ვიყიდი | Viqidi |
Popular shopping areas include Dry Bridge Market in Tbilisi and Batumi Mall.
5. Emergency & Medical Assistance
In case of an emergency, knowing these phrases can be life-saving:
| English | Georgian | Pronunciation |
| Help! | დახმარება! | Dakhmareba! |
| Call the police | პოლიციას დაურეკეთ | P’olitsias daureket |
| I need a doctor | ექიმი მჭირდება | Ekimi mchirdeba |
| I am lost | დავიკარგე | Davikarge |
| My phone is stolen | ჩემი ტელეფონი მოიპარეს | Chemi telefoni moip’ares |
| Where is the hospital? | საავადმყოფო სად არის? | Saavadmqopo sad aris? |
For emergency assistance, dial 112 (Georgia’s universal emergency number).
6. Transportation & Travel Phrases
If you’re using public transport or taxis, these phrases will be handy:
| English | Georgian | Pronunciation |
| Where is the bus station? | ავტობუსის სადგური სად არის? | Avtobusis sadguri sad aris? |
| I need a taxi | ტაქსი მჭირდება | T’aksi mchirdeba |
| Take me to the airport | მიმიყვანეთ აეროპორტში | Mimiqvanet aeroportshi |
| Train ticket | მატარებლის ბილეთი | Matareblis bileti |
| One ticket, please | ერთი ბილეთი, თუ შეიძლება | Erti bileti, tu sheidzleba |
You can also book a taxi using Bolt or Yandex Taxi for safer and more convenient travel.
7. Georgian Cultural Etiquette
- Toast Traditions: In Georgia, making a toast is an essential part of social gatherings. The host (Tamada) leads the toasts.
- Respect for Elders: It is customary to show great respect to elders, especially in rural areas.
- Hospitality: Georgians are known for their warm hospitality, and it is common for locals to invite tourists for food and drinks.
- Tipping: While not mandatory, tipping 10% at restaurants is appreciated.
For deeper cultural insights, visit Georgian Tourism Board.
FAQs: Learning Georgian Phrases
Is it difficult to learn Georgian?
Georgian has a unique alphabet and pronunciation, but basic phrases are easy to learn with practice.
Do Georgians speak English?
Many people in cities like Tbilisi and Batumi speak English, but in rural areas, basic Georgian phrases will be useful.
What is the best app for learning Georgian?
Apps like Duolingo, Memrise, and Simply Learn Georgian are great for beginners.
Can I use Google Translate for Georgian?
Yes, Google Translate supports Georgian, but accuracy varies for complex sentences.
Do taxi drivers speak English in Georgia?
Most taxi drivers have limited English skills, so it’s good to know basic Georgian transport phrases.