Georgian Language for Travelers · Practical Georgia Travel Guide
This Georgian Language for Travelers guide is designed to make communication in Georgia easier when English is not enough – with useful Georgian phrases, messages you can show to locals and simple visual tools.
Do you need to speak Georgian to travel around Georgia?
No. English is commonly used in hotels, tourist attractions and many businesses in central Tbilisi. However, communication can be more difficult in markets, local transport, small family-run businesses and destinations outside the main tourist areas. A few Georgian phrases, written messages and visual tools can solve most everyday situations.
What Language Is Spoken in Georgia?
The Official Language of Georgia
Called kartuli ena in Georgian, Georgian is the official language of Georgia and belongs to the Kartvelian language family. In addition, it has its own grammar, vocabulary and writing system.
English in Georgia
Many younger Georgians and people working in tourism speak English. However, it is less predictable in rural areas, at markets, on local transport and when communicating with some older residents. Therefore, the best solution is often a combination of simple English, Georgian text and visual information.
The official Georgia Travel communication guide also notes that international visitors generally use English, particularly in tourism-related services.
What Is Special About the Georgian Alphabet?
The modern Georgian alphabet has 33 letters. The script most visitors see on street signs, menus and everyday documents is called Mkhedruli.
Georgia also has two older writing systems, Mrgvlovani (often called Asomtavruli) and Nuskhuri. The living culture of Georgia’s three writing systems – Mrgvlovani, Nuskhuri and Mkhedruli – was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016. You can read more on the official UNESCO page.
You do not need to learn all 33 letters before your trip. Instead, for short visits, recognizing several important written words is usually more useful than trying to memorize the entire alphabet.
How Can You Communicate When Someone Does Not Speak English?
Do not try to solve the entire conversation with one long translated sentence. Instead, use this simple four-step method.
Start Politely
Begin with gamarjoba or ukatsravad. A Georgian greeting makes the interaction friendlier.
Explain Simply
Say that you do not speak Georgian or ask whether the person speaks English.
Show the Context
Use a map pin, address, photo, menu item or a short Georgian message on your phone.
Confirm Details
Ask the person to write down the price, time or platform instead of relying only on speech.
Useful Georgian Phrases for Travelers
A key part of this Georgian Language for Travelers guide is helping visitors solve real communication problems rather than study the language in depth. The transliterations below are simplified to help English-speaking visitors pronounce common phrases.
Start Politely
გამარჯობა
Gamarjoba
Hello
უკაცრავად
Ukatsravad
Excuse me
მადლობა
Madloba
Thank you
თუ შეიძლება
Tu sheidzleba
Please / If possible
When the Conversation Gets Difficult
ქართულად ვერ ვლაპარაკობ
Kartulad ver vlaparakob
I cannot speak Georgian
ინგლისური იცით?
Inglisuri itsit?
Do you speak English?
ვერ გავიგე
Ver gavige
I did not understand
თუ შეიძლება, გაიმეორეთ
Tu sheidzleba, gaimeoret
Please repeat that
თუ შეიძლება, დამიწერეთ
Tu sheidzleba, damitseret
Please write it down for me
შეგიძლიათ დამეხმაროთ?
Shegidzliat damekhmarot?
Can you help me?
Transport, Food and Payments
ეს მინდა
Es minda
I would like this
რა ღირს?
Ra ghirs?
How much does it cost?
სად არის…?
Sad aris…?
Where is…?
აქ გააჩერეთ, თუ შეიძლება
Ak gaacheret, tu sheidzleba
Please stop here
ანგარიში, თუ შეიძლება
Angarishi, tu sheidzleba
The bill, please
ნახვამდის
Nakhvamdis
Goodbye
Show This Message to a Local
You do not need to pronounce every sentence. Instead, open the relevant card and show the large Georgian message on your phone.
Taxi or Address
გთხოვთ, ამ მისამართზე წამიყვანეთ.
Please take me to this address. Show the exact address or map pin underneath this message.
Write Down the Price
გთხოვთ, ფასი აქ დამიწერეთ.
Please write the price here.
I Am Lost
დავიკარგე. შეგიძლიათ ამ ადგილის პოვნაში დამეხმაროთ?
I am lost. Can you help me find this place? Show your destination or map pin.
Emergency Help
დახმარება მჭირდება. გთხოვთ, დარეკეთ 112-ზე.
I need help. Please call 112.
Georgian Words Worth Recognizing
You do not have to read Georgian fluently. However, recognizing the shape of these common words can still help at stations, pharmacies, public buildings and shops.
აფთიაქი
Pharmacy
შესასვლელი
Entrance
გასასვლელი
Exit
გაჩერება
Stop
სადგური
Station
სალარო
Ticket office / Cash desk
ტუალეტი
Toilet
ღია
Open
დაკეტილია
Closed
Practical Communication Tips for Georgia
These practical tips complement our Georgian Language for Travelers guide. In addition, they can make everyday communication easier, especially outside central Tbilisi and the main tourist areas.
- Save your accommodation address in Georgian. Keep the Georgian name, full address and a map pin together in a screenshot.
- Use short translation requests. Translate one clear sentence at a time instead of a long explanation with several questions.
- Show rather than pronounce. A written place name, photo, ticket or menu item is often clearer than an unfamiliar pronunciation.
- Confirm numbers visually. Ask the person to type or write the price, departure time, platform or room number.
- Prepare before leaving the city. Ask your hotel or host to write complicated directions or your destination in Georgian before a rural or intercity journey.
- Keep essential information offline. Save screenshots of addresses, tickets and important messages in case your mobile connection is unavailable.
- Use 112 only for real emergencies. It is Georgia’s single emergency number. The official 112 information page explains when to call.
FAQ About Georgian Language for Travelers
Do people speak English in Georgia?
English is commonly spoken in hotels, tourist attractions and many restaurants and services in central Tbilisi. However, it can be less reliable in markets, on local transport, in small towns and in rural areas.
Do tourists need to learn the Georgian alphabet?
No. Learning the complete alphabet is not necessary for a short trip. Instead, recognizing several common Georgian words and keeping destinations written in Georgian is usually more practical.
What is the best way to communicate without a shared language?
Use one short request at a time and support it with a Georgian message, map pin, address, photo or written number. In addition, always confirm important details such as prices, times and destinations visually.
What are the most useful Georgian phrases for a visitor?
Start with gamarjoba (hello), madloba (thank you), ukatsravad (excuse me), ver gavige (I did not understand) and tu sheidzleba, damitseret (please write it down).
What is the emergency number in Georgia?
Want to Understand More Than the Words?
A few Georgian phrases can help you communicate, but the language and alphabet also reveal an important part of the country’s identity. After using this Georgian Language for Travelers guide, you can explore more of the country’s history, culture and everyday life with local guides on our Old Tbilisi Free Tour.