Learn how to ask How are you in Georgian – the question that starts each conversation. Learn the prononciation and how to answer it and have a whole small-talk.
Each talk in Georgian starts with a friendly “How are you doing?”. This is the basis of social interactions, so even if you do not know more phrases, this is the one worth learning.
One may compare it a bit with English question “How are you?”, because often you will hear the answer “fine” or “I’m good”. Very rarely you will hear “so-so” or “bad”. If that’s the answer, it may be a pretty bad situation.
By reading this article you will learn not only how to ask the above question in Georgian (or understand it, if being asked), but also how to answer it. Remember that the role of this question may be different that in your own culture. In Georgia one normally uses it as a starter for any small-talk. It means they do not expect you to observe your inner self and give the detailed description of your well-being.
How to say How are you in Georgian?
The best will be to start with the question itself. In Georgian language it will be როგორ ხარ? (rogor khar) – How are you? In Georgian (and it’s good news) you read words exactly as they are written. So if you know a bit of alphabet, you can read it as well.
Literally the same. If you are in a formal situation and you address someone by Sir/Madam, the question will be changed into: როგორ ხართ? (rogor khart). This is exactly the same question, but asked using 2nd person plural (you) which we use for addressing Sir/Madam as well.
The second question may be used also if one addresses more that just one person, i.e. “you” plural. Here it does not matter, if we have familiar or formal relation with those people. The form will be the same.
There is an additional version of this question. You may hear it especially in speaking, not in writing. That is why we’ll cover it here today so you won’t be surprised during your first conversations. So it is: როგორა ხარ? (rogor khar) It means exactly the same as როგორ ხარ? (rogora khar). The added letter “ა”(a) may be added to the word if it end on voiced consonant and the next word also starts with one. The reason one adds it is to have a better melody of the sentence.
So this is the main part how to ask How are you in Georgian. Now let’s go to …
How to answer to How are you in Georgian as well?
This is the way we want you to learn Georgian with us – not just to ask question Howa are you in Georgian but also to be able to have a small conversation around it.
Once you have been asked about it, it is polite to answer, isn’t it? The easiest form is to to say კარგად (k’argad), which means “well”. That’s the option especially for your first holidays in Georgia, when you accustom to the Georgian language. Later, during your trip you may answer in full sentence:
მე კარგად ვარ – I am well (me k’argad var)
Or in a more standard way (in Georgian language one often skips personal pronouns):
კარგად ვარ – (I) am well. (k’argad var)
Having said that, you may politely add მადლობა (madloba) in the end, which means “Thanks”. This is a neutral form that is used in standard conversations in bus, market or other daily life situations. The alternative is გმადლობ (gmadlob) – Thank you. Here you address the other person directly in a non-formal speech. This “you” is a singular. The formal form (addressing by Sir/Madam) will be გმადლობთ (gmadlobt).
You may go even further with your conversation and ask the interlocutor, how they are. This is the easiest part in this whole small-talk in Georgian You just say შენ? (shen) – and you? or თქვენ? (tkven) – and you? For plural or formal questions. Please do remember that this form may be used only if the main question has been already asked by the other person. No matter what, it may be your secret weapon, when learning Georgian language and practicing small-talks in Georgian.
How does a Georgian small-talk look like?
The participants of our on-line courses mention that the dialogues patterns that we provide are of much help. They learn them fast and are able to create own ones. That is why we have prepared one also for this article. This one comes from our book and on-line course on A1 level, which will be available again for purchase in autumn 2023. You may join our newsletter ”Caucasian Mail” not to miss its return and other live lessons we plan to organize around that time.
To sum up everything you know by now about having this familiar first small-talk, it will look as follows:
A: როგორ ხარ? – How are you?
B: კარგად ვარ, მადლობა. შენ? – (I) am well, thanks. And you?
A: მეც კარგად ვარ. – I’m also well.
There’s nothing else to do for you but to practice it. You can do it individually or talk to some Georgians during your next trip to Georgia. You may also try to write the formal version of the above dialogue. After joining our „Caucasian Mail” you’ll get a welcome e-mail. So hit reply and send us your dialogue so we can check it for you.
And now you not only can ask How are you in Georgian but also have the whole small-talk around it.
Looking for good Georgian study materials?
Check your knowledge on asking How are you in Georgian:
If you want to check your new knowledge do the below quiz. The quizzes are published first on our InstaStory and Facebook profiles and then they are published under the posts. The answers you’ll find below.
Choose the correct answer:
- If someone asks you how are you, they will say:
- როგორ ხარ?
- არა
- მადლობა
- If you wnat to answer, you’ll say:
- შენ?
- კარგად. შენ?
- ნახვამდის
- Then what response can you get:
- მადლობა, მეც კარგად
- კარგი
- გამარჯობა
Do you know all the answers?
Correct answers:
- If someone asks you how are you, they will say:
- როგორ ხარ?
- არა
- მადლობა
- If you want to answer, you’ll say:
- შენ?
- კარგად. შენ?
- ნახვამდის
- Then what response can you get:
- მადლობა, მეც კარგად
- კარგი
- გამარჯობა
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