Useful Georgian phrases for a first visit

A short set of words is more useful than a page you cannot recall when someone speaks to you. Start with a greeting, thanks and a way to get someone's attention. Keep the Georgian script on your phone as well as the Roman-letter version. The script helps a person read your request even if your pronunciation misses a sound. The forms below come from Tbilisi Medical Academy's 2026 student handbook. Georgian American University's exchange newsletter independently lists the common greeting, thanks and 'no'.

Seven phrases to keep close

The 'Say it' column follows the handbook's Roman-letter spelling. It is a reading aid, not a pronunciation system or a recording of local speech. In particular, English letters do not capture every Georgian consonant neatly. Use the Georgian text when accuracy matters. Show a short question on screen rather than stringing together a sentence from fragments whose grammar you have not learned.

Use a small exchange, then show the detail

At a counter, begin with 'gamarjoba' and wait for a response. 'Ukatsravad' is a way to get attention before asking. If you need to ask the price, point to the exact item and use 'ra ghirs?' If a longer answer follows and you do not understand, avoid pretending you understood. Show the address, ticket, item name or written question. A translated place name on a map and the Georgian spelling give the other person something concrete to work with.

The English question in the table asks whether the other person speaks English. It does not establish that they do. Speak slowly, give them room to answer, and switch to the written detail if needed. A useful habit is to save your accommodation name and address in Georgian before you travel. That preparation helps more than memorising a long list of isolated words. Keep the screen bright enough for another person to read without handing over your phone.

These are practical starters, not a claim to speak Georgian. The two education sources list short expressions for visitors and students. They do not certify the table as a full language lesson or a native-speaker review. If you need an exact medical, legal or emergency explanation, use an appropriate interpreter or official service rather than relying on this small table.

See the academy's phrase list on page 9