Cheers in Georgian and Other Important Words to Know

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Nestled in the heart of the Caucasus, Georgia is a land of breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality. Learning a few words and essential phrases in Georgian can significantly enhance your experience and improve communication with locals.

So If you’re planning a trip to this enchanting country or simply want to impress your Georgian friends, knowing how to say “Cheers” in Georgian is an absolute must. So, let’s dive into the Georgian language (especially food and wine words) and explore some essential words that will make your Georgian adventure unforgettable!

The Art of Georgian Toasts: More Than Just “Georgian Cheers”

Saying cheers in Georgian isn’t just a quick clink of glasses before drinking. It’s an art form, a cherished tradition, and often a marathon event. Many Georgians celebrate their rich traditions and hospitality through unique toasting rituals, which are an integral part of their social gatherings. And the word that you will hear the most at the end of each toast is of course The Georgian word for “Cheers” which is: GAUMARJOS! გაუმარჯოს Pronunciation: gau-mar-jos Meaning: “To victory!”

But wait, there’s more! Georgians have a variety of toasting words for different occasions:

1. “შენს გამარჯვებას” (shens gamarjvebas) – “To your victory!”
2. “ჯანმრთელობას” (janmrtelobas) – “To health!”
3. “სადღეგრძელო” (sadghegrdzelo) – A longer, more formal toast, often given by a designated toastmaster called “Tamada”

The Georgian Supra: A Feast for the Ages

No discussion of Georgian drinking culture would be complete without mentioning the supra – a traditional Georgian feast. When attending a supra, there are a few essential key words you should know about:

1. Supra – The feast itself – “სუფრა”
2. Tamada – The toastmaster – “თამადა”
3. Alaverdi – Passing the toast to another person – “ალავერდი“
4. Mravaljamier – A traditional Georgian polyphonic song often sung at feasts – “მრავალჟამიერ”

Georgian Drink Vocabulary: Know Your Beverages

When in Georgia, you’ll encounter some unique drinks. Here’s what to know:

1. Wine: “ღვინო” (ghvino) – Georgia is the birthplace of wine, with an 8,000-year-old tradition
2. Grappa: “ჭაჭა” (chacha) – Georgian A strong grape-based spirit, approach with caution!
3. Mineral water: “ბორჯომი“ (Borjomi) – Famous Georgian sparkling mineral water, great for hangovers. They may not have the actual Borjomi brand on hand but they’ll know what you are after.
4. Beer: “ლუდი“ (ludi) – For when you need a break from wine. There’s actually some really great local regular and craft beers that are worth trying in Georgia.
5. Tea: “ჩაი” (chai) Tea is an important part of Georgian culture and has been grown here for many years. Don’t miss trying Georgian tea, made with local herbs and fruits.
6. Coffee: “ყავა” (q’ava) While not as prominent as tea, coffee culture is growing in Georgia. You’ll find everything from traditional Turkish-style coffee to modern espresso bars, especially in Tbilisi.

• Turkish coffee თურქული ყავა” (turkuli q’ava)
• Espresso “ესპრესო” (espreso)
• Cappuccino “კაპუჩინო” (kapuchino)

Food and Drink

A couple of extra useful phrases to help you navigate food and drinks in Georgia:

• Delicious: გემრიელია Pronunciation: gem-ri-eli-ia. (You’ll use this a lot – Georgian cuisine is amazing!)
• How much is this?: რა ღირს? Pronunciation: ra girs (Handy for checking prices – I had a friend pay $4 USD for a single nectarine because he didn’t check the price. This btw is NOT the correct price it’s usually about 4 GEL per kilo he got well and truly ripped off!!!) If you find something too expensive, you can use the phrase ‘dza li’ to express that it is too costly and negotiate a better price.

Basic Words and Phrases: Building Your Georgian Vocabulary

Learning basic words and phrases in Georgian can help you navigate everyday situations and communicate with locals. Here are some essential words and phrases to get you started:

• Hello in Georgian: გამარჯობა gamarjoba Pronunciation: ga-mar-jo-ba. This versatile greeting also means “Victory to you!” and is a great way to start any conversation.
• Thank you in Georgian: მადლობა madloba Pronunciation: mad-lo-ba. Expressing gratitude is always appreciated, and this phrase will come in handy often.
• You’re Welcome: “არაფრის” Arapris. Pronunciation: ah-rah-pris. Meaning”It’s nothing” or “For nothing”
• Goodbye in Georgian: ნახვამდის nakhvamdis Pronunciation: na-khvam-dis. Use this to bid farewell to your new Georgian friends.
• Yes: “კი” Ki Pronunciation: Kee. A simple yet essential word for affirming statements or agreeing with someone.
• No: არა Ara Pronunciation: a-ra. Equally important, this word will help you politely decline offers or disagree.
• Excuse me: უკაცრავად ukatsravad Pronunciation u-kats-ra-vad Perfect for getting someone’s attention or apologizing for a minor inconvenience.
• Please: თუ შეიძლება tu sheidzleba Pronunciation tu she-id-zle-ba A polite way to make requests, though it might take a bit of practice to pronounce correctly.
• I don’t understand: ვერ გავიგე ver gavige Pronunciation ver ga-vi-ge. Use this phrase when you need clarification or assistance with the language.

Fun Georgian Expressions to Spice Up Your Conversations

Want to sound like a local? Try these expressions:

1. “რა ხდება?” (ra khdeba) – “What’s happening?”Perfect for starting conversations or expressing surprise
2. “კარგი“ (kargi) – “Good” A versatile word you’ll hear often
3. “გაიხარე“ (gaikhare) – “Be happy!” A warm wish often used as a response to “thank you”
4. “შენ გენაცვალე“ (shen genatsvale) – “I’d give my life for you” Don’t worry, it’s not as intense as it sounds! It’s used as a term of endearment. Our son gets this a lot from elderly people we meet in the park.
5. “გისურვებ” (gisurveb) – “I wish you…” Great for starting your own toasts!

Embrace the Georgian Spirit

Learning these words and phrases will not only help you navigate Georgian social situations but also immerse you in the rich culture of this beautiful country. Georgian is a unique language with its own alphabet and is distinct from other languages in the region, making it a fascinating aspect of the country’s cultural heritage. From the moment you clink glasses and say “გაუმარჯოს” (gaumarjos) to the time you bid farewell with a heartfelt “ნახვამდის” (nakhvamdis – goodbye), you’ll find that your efforts to embrace Georgian traditions are met with warmth and appreciation.