What do Georgians call Russians, Armenians and other peoples?
Names of peoples and countries in Georgian.
Short answer
In Georgian a Russian is rusi (რუსი) and Russia is Ruseti (რუსეთი); an Armenian is somekhi (სომეხი), an Azerbaijani azerbaijaneli (აზერბაიჯანელი) and a Ukrainian ukraineli (უკრაინელი). Georgians call themselves kartveli (ქართველი) and their country Sakartvelo (საქართველო). These are neutral words used both in everyday speech and officially.
Why
- A Greek is berdzeni (ბერძენი), a Turk turki (თურქი) and a Jew ebraeli (ებრაელი).
- The ending -eli often forms a resident's name: tbiliseli, a Tbilisian.
- Sakartvelo means 'land of the Kartvelians'.
Details
Genatsvale isn't a nationality, as some think, but an affectionate form of address. When talking about peoples, stick to neutral names.
Tip
Use neutral names when talking about peoples, and avoid jokes on the subject.
What may differ
Common misconception
What actually happens
People also ask
- What do Georgians call Russians?
The transliteration is approximate; the Georgian spelling gives the pronunciation most accurately.
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