How to Say Hello in Georgian: Complete Guide to Greetings

Georgia is one of the greatest travel surprises in the world. Nestled between the Black Sea, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey, this Caucasian nation of 3.7 million people has one of the oldest and most original cultures on earth: a unique alphabet 1,500 years old, an 8,000-year winemaking tradition (the oldest known), a vocal polyphony inscribed on the UNESCO heritage list, and legendary hospitality. According to Ethnologue, Georgian is spoken by approximately 3.7 million native speakers.

Learning to say hello in Georgian means entering a world that belongs to no other.

Explore our Georgian vocabulary guide and our Georgian language page to go further.

1. Gamarjoba , The Iconic Georgian Greeting
2. The Georgian Alphabet: Mkhedruli
3. Greetings by Time of Day
4. Rogor khartk , How Are You?
5. Essential Expressions
6. Georgian Culture: Supra and Hospitality

Gamarjoba , The Iconic Georgian Greeting

გამარჯობა , in transliteration: Gamarjoba (pronounced ga-mar-JO-ba) , is THE Georgian greeting. Universal, used at any hour, formal or informal, it is the first word to learn absolutely.

Detailed Pronunciation

• ga: simple ga
• mar: mar, the "r" is slightly rolled
• jo: jo, like "yo" with a very light "j"
• ba: ba
• Stress on the third syllable: ga-mar-JO-ba

Warrior Etymology

Gamarjoba comes from gamarjveba (victory), itself from marjvena (right, right hand). The greeting therefore literally means "be victorious" , a nod to a culture of mountain warriors who resisted all invasions.

Forms by Number

• Gamarjoba! , to one person
• Gamarjobat! (ga-mar-jo-BAT) , to several people or formal (the -t is a plural/polite marker)

Practical tip: Georgians are deeply touched when a foreigner says Gamarjoba with a sincere smile. Expect genuine reactions of joy , that is Georgian hospitality (stumarmaspindzloba) at work.

The Georgian Alphabet: Mkhedruli

The Georgian alphabet (მხედრული, mkhedruli = "of the horseman") is one of 14 alphabets currently in use in the world. Created in the 4th century, it is unlike any other alphabet. Its rounded, elegant letters are recognisable at a glance.

Some Letters for Greetings

გამარჯობა letter by letter: გ-ა-მ-ა-რ-ჯ-ო-ბ-ა

Georgian sounds include consonants that English doesn't have , notably ejective consonants (pronounced with a glottal burst): k', t', p', ts', ch'. These sounds may seem hard to European ears but are fascinating.

Greetings by Time of Day

The Word mshvidobisa (peace)

მშვიდობა (mshvidoba) = peace, tranquillity. It is the root word of "good morning," "good evening" and "good night" , all of which wish peace. A profoundly peaceful philosophy of greeting.

The cluster mshv may seem impossible to pronounce, but break it down: m-shvi , say "m" then "shvi" quickly.

Rogor khartk , How Are You?

Responses

Madloba (mad-LO-ba) = thank you , the most useful word to remember in Georgian. Kargad (KAR-gad) = fine/OK , you'll hear it everywhere.

Essential Expressions

Gaumarjos , The Legendary Georgian Toast

გაუმარჯოს! (Gaumarjos!) = "To their victory!" , the quintessential Georgian toast. Georgian wine (ghvino, the probable origin of the word "wine" in European languages) and elaborate toasts (supra) are a way of life in Georgia.

Georgian Culture: Supra and Hospitality

The Supra , Georgian Feast The supra is the traditional Georgian feast, a codified social ritual. A tamada (master of ceremonies) guides the toasts, each dedicated to a specific theme: peace, ancestors, women, children, the absent, Georgia itself... Each toast is an elaborate speech, often poetic. Being invited to a supra is an immense honour.

Hospitality as Sacred Law Stumarmaspindzloba (Georgian hospitality) is a profound cultural code: the host is responsible for the happiness and safety of the guest. Refusing food and drink is almost offensive. Georgians are capable of feeding you for hours with a generosity that will always exceed your expectations.

Vocal Polyphony Georgian polyphonic singing (three simultaneously independent voices) is inscribed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. Hearing a traditional Georgian song is a visceral experience.

Georgia and the English-speaking World Georgia is increasingly popular with international travellers. A growing expat community and a vibrant Tbilisi scene mean English is widely spoken , but speaking even a few words of Georgian will earn you respect and warmth that transcends any language barrier.

Conclusion

Georgia is a destination that transforms those who visit it. Tbilisi, its sulphur baths, the cave wineries of Kakheti, the monasteries perched at Kazbegi , every aspect of this country carries a unique depth. With Gamarjoba, Madloba and Gaumarjos!, you have the keys to enter a world where hospitality is not a service but a philosophy of life.

Don't be afraid of the Mkhedruli alphabet , even recognising a few letters will make you immediately endearing to Georgians.

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Fascinated by Georgian and Caucasian culture? Discover our Georgian courses with native teachers from Tbilisi.

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Sources and References

• Targumi — Learn Georgian: courses with certified native teachers.
• Wikipedia — Georgian: encyclopedic information on the language.
• Ethnologue — Georgian: approximately 3.7 million native speakers worldwide.

Further Reading

• Learn Georgian on Targumi — courses with native teachers
• Georgian vocabulary essentials — key words and phrases
• All languages on Targumi — 106 languages taught