Greetings are one of the most important things that you need to remember when meeting new people. You see, wishing them a nice day is such a sweet and polite way to make connections with locals. So, in this blog, we share some tips and easy ways to say hello in Georgian.
Learning a new language is a bittersweet journey— why? Because it can take you ages to master them! Now, if you are interested in learning Georgian, which, by the way, is one of the hardest languages to learn, then you’ll need to dedicate some time and effort towards it.
However, what makes this journey a sweet one is finishing the first step, like familiarizing yourself with a new vocabulary or alphabet. If you happen to be interested in learning the basics of this language, you might want to start by discovering how to say hello in Georgian and other greetings that’ll be handy.
Different Ways To Say Hello In Georgian
Basic words like “Hello” are one of the first words we learn when learning a new language. It’s an excellent start to making new friends and forming good bonds with them. So, if you’re fascinated by the friendliness and warmth of Georgian natives, then you’ll want to learn these Georgian phrases that translate to “Hello” to help you greet them politely!
1. Hello – Gamarjoba
If you want the most Georgian way to greet someone, then saying “Gamarjoba” is perfect! It’s used all over the country to welcome, show respect, and acknowledge someone. Practicing this method of saying hello allows you to show both hospitality and warmth. It’s also a great way to connect with locals as the word shows the friendliness of the Georgian people.
2. Hello (Formal) – Gamarjobat
Did you know that “Hello” in Georgian also has a formal counterpart? Also, if you need to greet a group of people, you may simply say “Gamarjobat.” This means that it is also the plural form of the first greeting and is also used to formally address people.
3. Wish You Peace/Hello – Salam
Another simple way to address someone in Georgian is by greeting them with a “Salam.” It’s a borrowed word from Arabic and is typically used to greet people informally. In its original roots, it actually means “Peace.” Arabians usually say phrases like “As-salamu alaykum,” meaning “Peace be with you.”
Other Georgian Greetings You Can Use
We don’t always just say “hello” to people, don’t we? Some shake hands as they greet another person while others may nod their head. It really depends on your preference and culture. But here are other greeting phrases that you can use to acknowledge people respectfully in Georgia. Note that Georgian natives don’t really use “Good afternoon.” They typically use “Good morning/Hello” instead.
1. Good Morning – Dilamshvidobisa
Saying good morning has been a part of some cultures’ everyday life. In Georgian, they say “Dilamshvidobisa” to greet someone during this time of the day. This is a great way to warmly greet people and it also represents their hospitality, putting emphasis on politeness and meaningfulness of morning interactions.
2. Good Evening – Saghamoshi
Once the sun sets, you’ll probably want to head home and call it a day. But before snuggling in the comfort of your bed, you can always greet the people around you a good evening before leaving. You can simply say “Saghamoshi” politely.
3. Good Night – Ghameshi Kargad
Ending the day with a good old “Good night” is a great way to tell someone to have a great and peaceful sleep. If you want to wish your friends, loved ones, or co-workers this phrase in Georgian, you can say “Ghameshi Kargad.”
Gestures To Remember When Greeting Georgians
Aside from these useful phrases, gestures also play a big role in delivering them to people you’re speaking with. Here are some of the things you need to take note of when greeting a Georgian native!
1. Physical Contact
Are you comfortable with kissing people on the cheek? Well, if this is well-practiced in your culture then you’d probably be comfortable greeting close friends and family members with two or three kisses on the cheek. Though, men typically greet people they’re close with a hug. However, if you’re not really close with anyone yet, it’s best to just shake hands, maintain eye contact, and smile!
2. Address Formally
Initially, address people with their surnames until invited to do otherwise. Titles and surnames are used in formal situations or with people you do not know well.
3. Eye Contact
As mentioned earlier, eye contact plays a good role in greeting people. This shows your honesty and sincerity, but be careful as you wouldn’t want to stare at them! Staring can be perceived as rude in Georgian culture.
4. Respect Elders
It’s no surprise that most cultures have great respect for elders, and that includes the Georgian culture. So, when visiting someone’s house, make sure to greet them first!
5. Gifts
What do you do when you visit someone’s home? In Georgian practices, they typically bring small gifts when visiting a friend. Hold up now, there’s no need for you to overthink what you should and shouldn’t get, alright? We got you. Some of the most common tokens given to hosts are wine, sweets, or flowers.
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Planning to book a trip to Georgia to see the amazing city of Atlanta? Well, hold your horses for you might want to prepare yourself first with some of the essential words and phrases you’ll need when visiting the country. Oh wait, I have a better idea, why don’t you start mastering the language to build great connections with their warm natives? Here’s another tip, try using Ling before starting your journey!
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