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What language is spoken in Georgia, and do people understand Russian?

Georgian, Russian, English and minority languages.

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Short answer

Georgia's state language is Georgian, and Abkhaz is also recognised as a state language in Abkhazia. Many middle-aged and older people understand Russian, and in tourist areas of Tbilisi and Batumi it is widely used in cafes, hotels and taxis. Young people tend to know English better, and in areas where minorities live, Azerbaijani and Armenian are also spoken.

Russian-Georgian phrasebook faq-cover-georgian-language.png

Why

  1. Russians make up about 1.1% of the population in the 2024 census, and some 37,700 Russian citizens are permanent foreign residents.
  2. Signs and menus in tourist areas are often also in English and Russian.
  3. A few Georgian words such as gamarjoba and madloba are always warmly received.

Details

Russian is less common in villages and the mountains, so a translation app and a few Georgian phrases help. With young people, English is often easier.

People also ask

  • Do people speak Russian in Georgia?

Sources

Information checked on October 3, 2026.

Russian-Georgian phrasebook

  • What do Georgians call Russians, Armenians and other peoples?

    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).

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  • How do you say 'happy birthday' in Georgian?

    'Happy birthday' in Georgian is gilotsav dabadebis dghes (გილოცავ დაბადების დღეს), or politely and to several people gilotsavt (გილოცავთ).

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  • How do you say 'what's your name' in Georgian?

    'What's your name' in Georgian is ra gkvia (რა გქვია), or politely ra gkviat (რა გქვიათ).

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  • What does 'katso' mean in Georgian?

    Katso (კაცო) is a casual way to address a man, from katsi (კაცი), 'man, person', roughly 'hey, man' or 'listen, mate'.

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