Basic Spoken Georgian – Complete Beginner Mini■Course
This course covers greetings, directions, food ordering, university conversations, and transportation.
Pronunciations are simplified using English sounds.
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Lesson 1: Essential Greetings
Hello – ■■■■■■■■■ (gam-ar-jo-ba)
Hi (informal) – ■■■ (hai)
Good morning – ■■■■ ■■■■■■■■■■ (dee-la mshvee-do-be-sa)
Good evening – ■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■■■■ (sa-gha-mo mshvee-do-be-sa)
Goodbye – ■■■■■■■■■ (nakh-vam-dees)
Please – ■■■■■■ (g-tkhovt)
Thank you – ■■■■■■■ (mad-lo-ba)
Yes – ■■ (kee)
No – ■■■ (a-ra)
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Lesson 2: Asking for Directions
Where is...? ■■■ ■■■■...? (sad a-ris?)
Left – ■■■■■■■■ (marts-kh-neev)
Right – ■■■■■■■■ (mar-jv-neev)
Straight – ■■■■ (ah-deh)
Near / Far – ■■■■■ / ■■■■ (akh-los / shors)
Examples:
– ■■■ ■■■■ ■■■■■■■■■■■■? (Where is the university?)
Pronunciation: sad a-ris u-ni-ver-si-te-ti?
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Lesson 3: Ordering Food
I want... – ■■■■■... (min-da...)
Menu – ■■■■■ (men-yu)
Water – ■■■■■ (tsqa-li)
Tea / Coffee – ■■■ / ■■■■ (chai / kha-va)
Example phrases:
– ■■■■■ ■■. (I want this.)
Pronunciation: min-da es.
– ■■■■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■ ■■■■■? (Can you give me water?)
Pronunciation: she-gidz-li-at mi-tse-mot tsqa-li?
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Lesson 4: Making Friends
What is your name? – ■■ ■■■■■? (ra g-kvi-ya?)
My name is… – ■■ ■■■■■… (me m-kvi-ya…)
Nice to meet you – ■■■■■■■■■■■ (sa-si-am-no-a)
Small talk examples:
– ■■■ ■■■■■■ ■■■? (Where are you from?)
Pronunciation: shen sai-dan khar?
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Lesson 5: Talking to Professors
Professor – ■■■■■■■■■ (pro-fe-sor-i)
Excuse me – ■■■■■■ (bo-di-shee)
I have a question – ■■■■■ ■■■■■■■■ (makvs she-kit-khva)
Example:
– profesore, makvs she-kit-khva. (Professor, I have a question.)
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Lesson 6: Transportation
Bus – ■■■■■■■■ (av-to-bu-si)
Metro – ■■■■■ (me-tro)
Taxi – ■■■■■ (tak-si)
Key phrases:
– ■■■ ■■■■■ ■■ ■■■■■■■■? (Where does this bus go?)
Pronunciation: sad mee-dees es av-to-bu-si?
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Basic Grammar to Remember
1. Word order is flexible but usually Subject–Object–Verb.
2. Georgian has no gender (no he/she difference).
3. Plurals often end with “-ebi”.
4. Verbs change heavily; learn phrases instead of rules early.
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Cultural Tips – Be Careful About:
1. Georgians value politeness; always say “madloba” (thank you).
2. Avoid interrupting; conversations are warm but respectful.
3. Hand gestures are minimal; too much pointing can seem rude.
4. Address elders and professors formally.
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Practice Drills
1. Introduce yourself.
2. Ask for directions to your university.
3. Order food using “minda…”.
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