How to Say “Happy Birthday” in Georgian: A Complete Guide to Georgian Birthday Traditions and Celebrations

When you think of Georgia—the crossroads of Europe and Asia nestled in the Caucasus—images of towering mountains, ancient vineyards, and unmatched hospitality probably come to mind. But above all, Georgian culture is famous for its warmth, heartfelt toasts, and legendary celebrations.

If you want to wish a Georgian friend, family member, or colleague a happy birthday, a simple “Happy Birthday” in English won’t quite capture the rich cultural spirit of the occasion.

This guide will walk you through how to say happy birthday in Georgian, break down the pronunciation, teach you how to sing the traditional birthday song, and give you a glimpse into what a real Georgian birthday party looks like!

1. The Core Phrase: How to Say “Happy Birthday”

In Georgian, the standard and most common way to wish someone a happy birthday is:

• Georgian Script: დაბადების დღეს გილოცავ!
• Transliteration (Romanized): Dabadis dghes gilocav!
• Pronunciation Guide: dah-BAH-dees dghes ghee-loh-TSAV

Breaking It Down

To better understand and remember the phrase, let’s look at its parts:

• დაბადების (Dabadis): Meaning “of birth.”
• დღეს (Dghes): Meaning “day.” Together, dabadis dghes translates to “birthday.”
• გილოცავ (Gilocav): Meaning “I congratulate you” or “I celebrate with you.”

2. Making It Formal or Plural

Georgian grammar changes depending on who you are speaking to. If you are wishing a happy birthday to an elder, someone you respect deeply, or addressing a group of people, you need to use the polite or plural form:

• Georgian Script: დაბადების დღეს გილოცავთ!
• Transliteration (Romanized): Dabadis dghes gilocavt!
• Pronunciation Guide: dah-BAH-dees dghes ghee-loh-TSAVT

Tip: Notice the extra “t” at the very end (gilocavt). This simple letter shifts the meaning from “I congratulate you” (informal) to “I/We congratulate you” (formal or plural). When in doubt with strangers, acquaintances, or older individuals, always use the form ending in -t.

3. Extending Your Wishes: Bonus Georgian Phrases

Want to go beyond the basics and truly impress a Georgian native? Pair your birthday greeting with one of these warm phrases:

• “I wish you happiness!”
  • Bednierebas gısurveb! (ბედნიერებას გისურვებ!)
• “I wish you health and success!”
  • Jandmrthelobas da çarmatebebs gısurveb! (ჯანმრთელობას და წარმატებებს გისურვებ!)
• “May you live a long life!”
  • Bolo ar gkondes! / Mravals daeswari! (მრავლად დაესწარი! – “May you witness many more!”)

4. The Soundtrack of Georgian Birthdays: “Mravalzhamier”

While English speakers sing “Happy Birthday to You,” Georgians have their own rich musical traditions for celebrations.

At a Georgian birthday feast, guests will frequently sing “Mravalzhamier” (მრავალჟამიერ). Recognized globally as a masterpiece of polyphonic folk singing, Mravalzhamier translates roughly to “May you live for many years” or “Time of many years.” Hearing a group of Georgians harmonize this traditional song in person is a spine-tingling, unforgettable experience.

5. What to Expect at a Georgian Birthday Celebration

If you are lucky enough to be invited to a birthday party in Georgia (dabadebis dghe), prepare yourself for an incredible cultural experience:

• The Supra (Feast): Birthdays are rarely quiet dinner affairs; they are usually celebrated with a grand supra—a traditional feast led by a toastmaster called a Tamada.
• Meaningful Toasts: The Tamada will propose heartfelt toasts to the birthday person, their parents, their health, their future, and peace. It is customary to listen closely, raise your glass (usually filled with Georgian wine or chacha), and drink in honor of the host or birthday celebrant.
• Abundant Food: Expect a table overflowing with Georgian staples like khachapuri (cheese bread), khinkali (soup dumplings), fresh herbs, cheeses, and grilled meats (mtsvadi).

Summary Cheat Sheet

| Situation | Georgian Phrase | Pronunciation |
| :— | :— | :— |
| Informal (Friends, Peers) | დაბადების დღეს გილოცავ! | dah-BAH-dees dghes ghee-loh-TSAV |
| Formal / Plural (Elders, Groups) | დაბადების დღეს გილოცავთ! | dah-BAH-dees dghes ghee-loh-TSAVT |

Next time a Georgian friend celebrates another trip around the sun, skip the English greeting and surprise them with a confident “Dabadis dghes gilocav!” You’re guaranteed to put a massive smile on their face!