Celebrating in the Caucasus: How to Say “Happy Birthday” in Georgian

When it comes to celebrations, Georgia (the country nestled at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia) is famous for its legendary hospitality, vibrant culture, and heartfelt toasts. Whether you are planning a trip to Tbilisi, making a Georgian friend, or simply expanding your linguistic horizons, learning how to wish someone a happy birthday in Georgian is a wonderful way to connect.

In this article, we’ll explore how to say happy birthday, how to pronounce it, and a few extra phrases to help you celebrate in true Georgian style!

The Main Event: How to Say “Happy Birthday”

The standard, most common way to wish someone a happy birthday in Georgian is:

• Georgian Script: გილოცავ დაბადების დღეს!
• Transliteration (Latin Alphabet): Gilotsav dabadis dges!
• Literal Meaning: “I congratulate you on your birth day!”

Breaking Down the Pronunciation

To help you nail the pronunciation on your next video call or in-person greeting, let’s break it down syllable by syllable:

1. Gi-lot-sav (გი-ლო-ცავ): Pronounced roughly like gee-loh-tsav. The “ts” sounds like the “ts” in the word “cats.”
2. Da-ba-de-bis (და-ბა-დე-ბის): Pronounced dah-bah-deh-bees.
3. Dges (დღეს): This can be a bit tricky for English speakers! The letter ღ (gh) sounds like a soft, throaty French “r” or a Spanish voiced fricative, similar to gargling very softly. If you’re a beginner, getting close to a soft “dges” (like the “dg” in “judge” combined with “es”) will still be warmly understood.

Going Deeper: Formal vs. Informal

Georgian grammar and politeness levels change depending on who you are talking to.

• To a friend, peer, or younger person: You can use the standard Gilotsav dabadis dges! (გილოცავ დაბადების დღეს!).
• To an elder, teacher, or someone you want to show formal respect to: You use the plural/polite form:
  • Phrase: გილოცავთ დაბადების დღეს!
  • Transliteration: Gilotsavt dabadis dges!
  • Note: Notice the extra “t” at the end of the first word (gilotsavt). This simple addition changes “I congratulate you” to “We/I congratulate you formally.”

Elevating Your Greeting: Extra Birthday Phrases

If you want to go beyond a simple “happy birthday” and truly impress your Georgian friends, try adding a heartfelt wish right after!

• “I wish you happiness!”

  • Transliteration: Bednierebas gisurveb!
  • Georgian: ბედნიერებას გისურვებ!

• “I wish you health and success!”

  • Transliteration: Jandrmtelobas da çarmatebebs gisurveb!
  • Georgian: ჯანმრთელობას და წარმატებებს გისურვებ!

The Georgian Toast Connection

No birthday is complete in Georgia without a proper Supra (traditional feast) and a Tamada (toastmaster). If you ever find yourself celebrating a birthday at a Georgian restaurant or home, remember that birthdays are a prime occasion for heartfelt, poetic toasts wishing the birthday person a long life, prosperity, and happiness surrounded by loved ones.

If you raise your glass, you can simply smile, look them in the eye, and say:

“Gilotsav!” (გილოცავ!) — “Congratulations!”

Now you are fully equipped to spread birthday cheer the Georgian way. Gilotsav dabadis dges!