Learn Georgian: Complete Beginner’s Guide
Table of Contents
1. Why learn Georgian? 2. History of the Georgian language 3. The mkhedruli alphabet: a unique treasure 4. Georgian grammar: a fascinating agglutinative language 5. Essential vocabulary: greetings, numbers, family, food 6. Georgian culture: wine, polyphony and hospitality 7. Resources for learning Georgian 8. Learn Georgian with Targumi---
Why learn Georgian?
Georgian (kartuli ena in Georgian) is a fascinating language spoken by approximately 3.7 million people, mainly in Georgia, a small country in the South Caucasus situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Learning Georgian in 2026 means opening yourself to a millennia-old civilization whose linguistic and cultural originality is unparalleled in the world.
A true linguistic isolate. Georgian is the principal language of the Kartvelian (or South Caucasian) family, which has no demonstrated relationship with any of the world’s major language families: neither Indo-European, nor Turkic, nor Semitic, nor Altaic. Together with Mingrelian, Svan and Laz, Georgian forms an isolated linguistic group, somewhat like Basque in Western Europe. This singularity makes it a fascinating subject of study for linguists and a stimulating challenge for learners. A unique alphabet over 1,500 years old. Georgian possesses its own writing system, the mkhedruli, inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2016. It is one of only 14 original alphabets still in use in the world. The cradle of wine. Georgia is considered the birthplace of world viticulture, with traces of winemaking dating back 8,000 years. The traditional method of winemaking in qvevri (large clay jars buried in the ground) is also inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Georgian polyphony. Georgian polyphonic singing, a multi-voice vocal tradition transmitted for centuries, has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2001. It is one of the oldest and most complex musical traditions in the world. A country at the crossroads of civilizations. Situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, at the foot of the Greater Caucasus, Georgia has been a waypoint on the Silk Road. Its millennia-old history bears the traces of the Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Mongol, Ottoman and Russian empires.---
History of the Georgian language
Kartvelian origins
Georgian belongs to the Kartvelian (or South Caucasian) language family, a small linguistic group comprising four languages: Georgian (the principal and literary language), Mingrelian, Svan and Laz. These languages descend from a common ancestor, Proto-Kartvelian, whose separation dates back approximately 3,700 years (or even earlier according to some estimates).
Unlike the Indo-European languages that dominate Europe, or the Turkic languages found in neighbouring Azerbaijan, the Kartvelian languages form a linguistic isolate: no genetic relationship has been established with any other language family. This isolation makes Georgian a language of remarkable originality. To discover another fascinating linguistic isolate, read our guide on Basque.
The three historical alphabets
Georgia is one of the few countries in the world to have developed three distinct writing systems over the course of its history, each derived from the previous one:
- Asomtavruli (capitals): the oldest Georgian alphabet, appearing around the 5th century BC according to some inscriptions (other datings place it in the 3rd century). Used in monumental and religious inscriptions.
- Nuskhuri (ecclesiastical minuscules): developed around the 9th century, used primarily in religious manuscripts. Asomtavruli and nuskhuri together form the khutsuri (ecclesiastical) system.
- Mkhedruli (civil script): appearing around the 11th century, it is the alphabet used today for all everyday Georgian writing.
- gvprtskvni (გვპრცკვნი) = "you peel me" — 8 consecutive consonants!
- mts’vrtneli = "trainer"
- brt’q’eli = "brilliant"
- Kali midis. = The woman goes. (nominative, intransitive verb)
- Kalma tsigni tsera. = The woman wrote the book. (ergative, transitive verb in the aorist)
- Bani: the bass voice, holding the drone
- Shemkmobari: the middle voice, accompanying
- Mtkhmeli: the high voice, carrying the melody
- Khachapuri: cheese-filled bread (the Adjarian variety, with an egg and butter, is the most famous)
- Khinkali: Georgian dumplings filled with spiced meat, traditionally eaten by hand, holding the pleated top
- Mtsvadi: grilled meat skewers
- Churchkhela: a confection of nuts coated in thickened grape juice, sometimes called the "Georgian Snickers"
- Pkhali: vegetable puree with walnuts and spices
- Badrijani: rolled aubergines stuffed with walnut paste
- Online courses: Targumi offers structured, progressive courses for learning Georgian, from beginner to advanced level.
- Traditional methods: Beginner’s Georgian by Dodona Kiziria (Hippocrene Books) is a reference.
- Apps: Several mobile applications offer Georgian vocabulary with audio pronunciation.
- Films: Georgian cinema is rich. Watch films by Tengiz Abuladze, Otar Iosseliani and Giorgi Shengelaia to immerse yourself in the language.
- Music: Listen to polyphonic ensembles like the Rustavi Choir or Ensemble Basiani to familiarize yourself with Georgian sounds.
- Community: Join online Georgian learner groups to practise with native speakers.
- Structured, progressive lessons designed by language experts
- Contextualized vocabulary with authentic examples
- An integrated cultural approach: every lesson is a gateway to Georgian culture
- Multi-platform access: learn on your computer, tablet or phone
All three alphabets were inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016, recognizing their exceptional value to humanity.
The Silk Road and historical influences
Georgia has always been a crossroads of civilizations. Situated on the Silk Road, it experienced the influence of numerous empires: the Achaemenid Persians, Alexander the Great, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Arabs, the Mongols, the Ottomans and the Russian Empire. Yet despite these successive invasions, the Georgian language preserved its integrity, protected by its unique alphabet and the national pride of its people.
The 11th-12th centuries mark Georgia’s golden age under King David IV the Builder and Queen Tamar. It was during this era that Shota Rustaveli wrote The Knight in the Panther’s Skin (Vepkhistkaosani), the masterpiece of Georgian literature considered one of the greatest epic poems in the world.
Modern Georgian
Modern literary Georgian was standardized in the 19th century under the impetus of writers such as Ilia Chavchavadze and Akaki Tsereteli. Today, Georgian is the official language of Georgia and is spoken by approximately 3.7 million native speakers, with additional communities in Turkey, Iran, Russia and the diaspora.
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The mkhedruli alphabet: a unique treasure
The Georgian mkhedruli alphabet has 33 letters, each representing a unique sound. It is a nearly perfect phonetic alphabet: each letter corresponds to one sound, and each sound is written with one letter. There are no capital letters in modern mkhedruli.
Vowels (5)
| Letter |
| Pronunciation |
| -------- |
| --------------- |
| ა (ani) |
| as in "father" |
| ე (eni) |
| as in "bed" |
| ი (ini) |
| as in "see" |
| ო (oni) |
| as in "more" |
| უ (uni) |
| as in "food" |
| Type |
| Sound |
| ------ |
| ------- |
| Voiced |
| normal b |
| Aspirated |
| breathed p |
| Ejective |
| dry, glottalized p |
| Voiced |
| normal d |
| Aspirated |
| breathed t |
| Ejective |
| dry, glottalized t |
| Voiced |
| normal g |
| Aspirated |
| breathed k |
| Ejective |
| guttural, glottalized k |
| Case |
| Function |
| ------ |
| ---------- |
| Nominative |
| subject |
| Ergative |
| subject (transitive verbs, aorist) |
| Dative |
| indirect object |
| Genitive |
| possession |
| Instrumental |
| means, instrument |
| Adverbial |
| manner |
| Vocative |
| address |
| Preverb |
| Example |
| --------- |
| --------- |
| she- |
| she-vida (I entered) |
| ga- |
| ga-vida (I went out) |
| a- |
| a-vida (I went up) |
| cha- |
| cha-vida (I went down) |
| gadmo- |
| gadmo-vida (I came from there) |
| mi- |
| mi-vida (I went there) |
| Pronoun |
| Past |
| --------- |
| ------ |
| me (I) |
| da-v-tsere |
| shen (you) |
| da-tsere |
| is (he/she) |
| da-tsera |
| chven (we) |
| da-v-tseret |
| tkven (you pl.) |
| da-tseret |
| isini (they) |
| da-tseres |
| English |
| Transcription |
| --------- |
| --------------- |
| Hello |
| gamarjoba |
| Goodbye |
| nakhvamdis |
| Thank you |
| madloba |
| Please |
| gtkhovt |
| Yes |
| diakh |
| No |
| ara |
| How are you? |
| rogor khar? |
| Fine |
| kargad |
| Welcome |
| ketili ikos |
| Excuse me |
| bodishi |
| I don’t understand |
| ver vkhvdebi |
| Do you speak English? |
| laparakob inglisurad? |
| My name is... |
| me mkvya... |
| Nice to meet you |
| sasiamovnoa |
| Cheers! |
| gaumarjos! |
| Number |
| Transcription |
| -------- |
| --------------- |
| 1 |
| erti |
| 2 |
| ori |
| 3 |
| sami |
| 4 |
| otkhi |
| 5 |
| khuti |
| 6 |
| ekvsi |
| 7 |
| shvidi |
| 8 |
| rva |
| 9 |
| tskhra |
| 10 |
| ati |
| 20 |
| otsi |
| 100 |
| asi |
| 1,000 |
| atasi |
| English |
| Transcription |
| --------- |
| --------------- |
| father |
| mama |
| mother |
| deda |
| son |
| shvili |
| daughter |
| kalishvili |
| brother |
| dzma |
| sister |
| da |
| grandfather |
| babua |
| grandmother |
| bebia |
| husband |
| kmari |
| wife |
| tsoli |
| child |
| bavshvi |
| family |
| ojakhi |
| English |
| Transcription |
| --------- |
| --------------- |
| bread |
| puri |
| cheese |
| kveli |
| wine |
| ghvino |
| meat |
| khortsi |
| water |
| tskali |
| khachapuri |
| khachapuri |
| khinkali |
| khinkali |
| churchkhela |
| churchkhela |
| chicken |
| katami |
| salad |
| salata |
| fruit |
| khili |
| salt |
| marili |
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Georgian culture: wine, polyphony and hospitality
Georgian wine: 8,000 years of history
Georgia is considered the birthplace of world viticulture. Traces of winemaking dating back 8,000 years (6000 BC) have been discovered in the Kakheti region, making Georgia the oldest known wine-producing country. The word "wine" itself may derive from the Georgian ghvino (ღვინო).
The traditional method of winemaking in qvevri — large clay jars buried in the ground — has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2013. Wine is fermented and aged in these qvevri for several months, giving it a unique taste and texture.
Georgia boasts more than 500 indigenous grape varieties (out of approximately 8,000 worldwide), the most famous being Saperavi (red) and Rkatsiteli (white). Orange wines (or amber wines), made by extended maceration of white grapes, are a Georgian specialty that is gaining worldwide popularity.
Georgian polyphony (UNESCO)
Georgian polyphonic singing has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2001. It is one of the oldest and most sophisticated polyphonic traditions in the world.Georgian singing is typically in three voices:
Each region of Georgia has its own polyphonic style: Kakheti in the east, Svaneti in the mountains, Guria in the west (famous for "krimanchuli", a spectacular Georgian yodel).
Remarkably, in 1977, a recording of the Georgian polyphonic song Chakrulo was included on the Voyager Golden Record, sent into space aboard the Voyager 1 and 2 probes as a representation of Earth’s music.
Georgian hospitality: the supra
The supra is the traditional Georgian feast, at the heart of the culture of hospitality. It is presided over by a tamada (toastmaster) who delivers elaborate, often poetic toasts to family, friends, homeland, ancestors and peace.
Essential dishes of the supra:
Tbilisi: the capital of hot springs
Tbilisi (თბილისი), Georgia’s capital, takes its name from the word "tbili" meaning "warm" in Old Georgian, a reference to the city’s natural sulphurous hot springs. Founded in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali, Tbilisi is a fascinating city where medieval churches, Turkish baths, Art Nouveau architecture and contemporary art sit side by side.The old town of Tbilisi, with its houses adorned with carved wooden balconies, the Narikala Fortress, the Bridge of Peace and the Abanotubani bathhouse district, is one of the most photogenic sites in the Caucasus.
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Resources for learning Georgian
To discover other languages of the Caucasus and the region, also check out our guide on Azerbaijani, a neighbouring Turkic language.
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Learn Georgian with Targumi
Georgian is a language of exceptional richness, with its unique alphabet, agglutinative grammar and millennia-old culture of wine and song. Its status as a linguistic isolate makes it a stimulating intellectual challenge and an incomparable cultural adventure.
At Targumi, we offer interactive lessons to learn Georgian at your own pace, whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced learner. Our courses cover the mkhedruli alphabet, ejective pronunciation, thematic vocabulary, case grammar and Georgian culture.
Why choose Targumi?Start today at www.targumi.com and explore more language guides on our blog.
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Sources: Ethnologue (SIL International), Hewitt — Georgian: A Structural Reference Grammar, Aronson — Georgian: A Reading Grammar, UNESCO — Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, Wikipedia.