The What’s-What of the Georgian Supra

A guide to the meanings and etymologies of Georgian words commonly used at the Supra dinner

The Georgian language is uniquely beautiful. It has no relation to the Indo-European, Turkic, and Semitic linguistic families that contain most of our familiar languages. It’s a poetic language and often a difficult language for foreigners to pronounce. However, the Georgian words used in the Supra are fairly easy and worth learning!

We like to incorporate Georgian vocabulary into our American Supras in order to give homage to Georgia’s history. Also, many of the terms have no direct English translation. “Toastmaster” simply does not do justice to the unique sense of ‘Tamada,’ and “banquet” is far too broad to convey the distinctiveness of the Supra.

Below is a list of wonderful Georgian terms that you’re likely to hear at any Supra. You’ll notice that Georgians have no fear of four-consonant strings, as in sadghegrdzelo, and some words look just bizarre, like qvevri. Don’t worry, we’ve included pronunciation guides.

And when somebody makes a toast, and the glasses clink, the most important thing to know is ‘Gagimarjos!’ Does any language in the world have a word more fun than that? We haven’t heard any.

Supra | SOO-prah | სუფრა

A formal toasting feast from the Republic of Georgia. At a Supra you will encounter bountiful food, wine, music, poetry, and a series of participatory toasts led by a Tamada. The tradition dates back millennia and is still common today, to celebrate anything from weddings to funerals to religious holidays. Supra literally means “tablecloth”.

Tamada | TAH-ma-dah | თამადა

The toastmaster who leads the table on a journey, exploring life’s deepest themes while giving everyone a sense of belonging. A Tamada is an orator, leader, jester, poet, listener and confidant.

Gagimarjos | Gah-gee-MAR-jos | გაგიმარჯოს

Literally, “May you be victorious.” Exclaimed by all participants after each toast. In Georgia, you will hear gaumarjos, meaning “Victory to it,” and gagvimarjos, meaning “May we be victorious.” Shen gagimarjos may be said to a person who finishes a particularly magnificent or meaningful toast.

Merikipe | Meh-ree-KEE-peh | მერიქიფე

The Tamada’s helper and wine pourer. In Georgia, the Merikipe role is highly honored. Etymologically, “mere” means afterwards and “keipi” means party, implying that the Merikipe’s time to feast is later on, presumably as a reward in the afterlife.

Sadghegrdzelo | Sahd-GHEG-dzeh-lo | სადღეგრძელო

A toast made by anyone at the table. When somebody wants to make a toast, they say, “Tamada, may I have a sadghegrdzelo?” The etymological meaning of “sadghegrdzelo” is something akin to an appeal for longevity, as each toast causes the night to prolong. You can pronounce it “sacred jello” if you need to.

Alaverdi | Ah-lah-VER-dee | ალავერდი

A special toast wherein the Tamada asks a particular participant to offer a toast. In Georgia, Tamadas will often name the theme to toast to. In America, Tamadas usually ask the participant to set the new theme with his/her toast, thereby passing the “Tamada-ship” for one round of toasting. “Alaverdi” is also the name of a famous monastery in the wine region of Georgia. The word is likely Turkish in origin, meaning God “Allah” gave “verdi”.

Vakhtanguri | Vahk-TAHN-GOO-ree | ვახტანგური

A toast named after the legendary King Vakhtang, wherein two people link their right arms and drink from khantsebi, or ram’s horns. Receiving a Vakhtanguri is a great honor, celebrating heroism and establishing a deep bond of kinship.

Keipi | KAY-ee-pee | ქეიფი

A party. In America, we use the term to refer to a casual Supra. In Georgia, it’s common to see three men sitting around a bottle of cha cha, making very short, informal toasts. This is a Keipi. Keipi is also the name of an incredible Georgian restaurant in Greenville, SC.

Ghvino | GVEE-no | ღვინო

Wine, symbolizing the blood shared by all participants. Georgians claim, and archeologists affirm, that viniculture originated in the Georgian lands 8,000 years ago, and is therefore taken very seriously.

Bolomde | BO-lohm-deh | ბოლომდე

Bottom’s up. To finish one’s glass as a sign of respect, often done after the fifth toast to the departed. “Bolo” means end and “mde” means until.

Cha cha | CHA-cha | ჭაჭა

The common Georgian hard alcohol, made from distilled solids leftover from wine production.

Qvevri | KWEH-vree | ქვევრი

A large, ceramic egg-shaped vessel traditionally used for wine fermentation. Crushed grapes are placed in a qvevri (sometimes 8 feet tall) and then buried underground).

Madloba | MAHD-loh-bah | მადლობა

Thank you.