A bit of Georgian

The more I travel the more interested I am becoming in languages; not really speaking different languages but looking at how we develop different ways of describing the same thing or how some languages have words for things other languages don’t.  It’s all so interesting to me, even the different words that English speakers from different countries use.

Before I forget all of the Georgian I learned I want to put together some interesting words or phrases from the language.  So here it goes…

Zeg – the day after tomorrow.  One word to accomplish what takes four words in English.

            Khvals zeg – in three days.  Literally, tomorrow’s day after.

Romeli khart – Often used when you answer the phone and want to know who is calling you.  You are literally saying, “which one are you?”

Batono – Mr.  However, it is used to ask “what?” when you don’t understand something and also a common way to answer the phone.  So instead of saying “hello?” you say “Mr.?”

Qualbatono – Mrs.  The literal translation is “woman Mr.”

The way the word color is used is really interesting to me:

Ara peri – nothing; literally, no (ara) color (peri)

Kvela peri – everything; literally, every (kvela) color (peri)

Ara ushavs – no problem, no worries; literally, there’s no black

Deda – mom.  Deda is also a common expression to use in many different circumstances.  A rough translation of one of its uses is “oh my god,” “oh god” or “oh no.”  For example, maybe you drop an egg on the floor, your response could be, “Deda!” 

Another translation might be “holy sh*t!”  If you are watching a soccer game and someone takes a shot that narrowly misses the goal, you say a quick “deda!” to express that it was close.

It can also be used for “damn it” or “f*ck.”  For example, if you stub your toe you exclaim “DEDA!”

It can also translate to “jesus” when used if someone catches you off guard and you are frightened.

Finally, it also expresses a sense of disbelief.  For example, it is said when someone wields a gun or cheats on their wife during the beloved Spanish soap operas.  Or when I do something crazy like bake carrot cake.  “Cake with carrot?? Deda!”

Mama – dad.  You can imagine the confusion young learners have when they learn that mama means mother.

Rodsads – when and where.  It combines rodis (when) and sad (where) into one word.

Mets – me too.  Nothing very interesting about this one except that it's kind of an addicting word to say, I think most of us who lived in Georgia still find ourselves using it.

Tsqkhali – water; one of the most difficult words to pronounce happens to be the most vital thing for humans.  Young Georgians have difficulty pronouncing this one.

I find the different way cultures decide to count is interesting, in Georgian, counting is done by 20s.

Otsi – 20

Otsdaati – 30; literally, 20 and 10

Ormotsi – 40; literally, two 20s

Ormotsdaati – 50; two 20s and 10

60 – three 20s; 70 – three 20s and 10; 80 – four 20s; 90 – four 20s and ten

35 is 20 and 15 (otsdatkhutmeti)

55 is two 20s and 15 (ormotsdatkhutmeti)

95 is four 20s and 15 (otkhmotsdatkhutmeti) that’s a 6 syllable mouthful.

Today, my post is featuring a cameo appearance by Blessing:

Blessing’s 2 cents

The word “aba” is one of those words that many agree to have no English translation.  It is a word with no specific meaning but when you hear it, you know its intended purpose.  Apparently, the Germans also use this word and it also has to English translation, but, the German and Georgian words are not used in the same contexts.  The word “aba” in Georgia can be used as the words “so” or “so what?”   It can also be used as a way of asking how else is something possible or saying to someone "what do you think happened?"

For example:

Elaine: "Do you know you are going to be late Blessing?"

Blessing: "Aba?" Meaning "so?” or “so what?” or “what do you want me to do about it?”

Blessing: "I hope you told that creepy stalker where to get off."

Elaine: "Aba?" Meaning “what do you think I did?”

Elaine: "I had to find a way home even though it was so late"

Blessing: "So did you get home by taxi?"

Elaine: "No"

Blessing: "Aba rogor?" Meaning “then how did you get home?”

Elaine: "I walked"

Blessing: "You walked?"

Elaine: "Aba?" meaning what was I supposed to do or what else could I have done

Blessing: “Deda!”  is now used because he cannot believe it.

Blessing: "Do you like khinkali, Elaine?"

Elaine: "Aba?" Meaning “of course, who doesn't” or “what do you think?”

There are many other ways in which this word is used these are just a few. You have to be around Georgians for a while to start noticing their different mannerisms when they are using the word in different context.