How to Say “Happy Birthday” in Georgian: A Complete Guide to Greetings and Culture

Learning how to say “Happy Birthday” in a new language is one of the best ways to connect with locals, honor a friend’s heritage, or prepare for an unforgettable trip to the Caucasus. In Georgian—a famously rich, melodious, and ancient language—a birthday greeting is much more than a casual phrase; it is a heartfelt blessing.

Whether you are messaging a Georgian friend online or planning to toast someone special at a traditional feast, this guide will walk you through the pronunciation, grammar, and cultural nuances of saying happy birthday in Georgian.

1. The Core Phrase: How to Say It

The most common and universally accepted way to wish someone a happy birthday in Georgian is:

გილოცავ დაბადების დღეს!

• Pronunciation: Gi-lo-tsav da-ba-de-bis dghes!
• Literal Translation: “I congratulate you on the day of birth!”

Interestingly, the Georgian language doesn’t explicitly use the word “happy.” Instead, it focuses entirely on the milestone itself. The verb at the root of the phrase shares a linguistic connection with the word for prayer (lotsva), giving the greeting a subtle, built-in blessing.

2. Breaking Down the Words

To understand how the phrase fits together, let’s look at its three component parts:

• გილოცავ (Gilotsav): “I congratulate you.” In Georgian, pronouns are built right into the verb. The prefix g- represents “you,” making this a powerful, stand-alone verb used for any celebratory occasion.
• დაბადების (Dabadebis): “Of birth.” This is the genitive form of dabadeba (birth).
• დღეს (Dghes): “Day” (in its object form, which also doubles as the word for “today”).

3. Formal vs. Informal: Knowing When to Add a “-t”

Just like French uses vous or Spanish uses usted, Georgian relies on grammatical politeness depending on who you are speaking to.

| Relationship | Phrase in Georgian | Pronunciation | When to Use |
| :— | :— | :— | :— |
| Informal | გილოცავ დაბადების დღეს | Gilotsav dabadebis dghes | Friends, peers, children, or close family members. |
| Formal / Plural | გილოცავთ დაბადების დღეს | Gilotsavt dabadebis dghes | Elders, bosses, acquaintances, or to address a couple/family. |