გთხოვთ
gtxovt[ɡ̊tʰχo̞ftʰ]
In Georgian, 'please' can be expressed using გთხოვთ (gtxovt) or თუ შეიძლება.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
Ways to say it
| Georgian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| გთხოვთ | gtxovt | [ɡ̊tʰχo̞ftʰ] (narrow) |
| თუ შეიძლება | tu šeiʒleba | [tʰu ʃe̞id͡zle̞bä] (narrow) |
გთხოვთ is used to make a direct request for something. In contrast, თუ შეიძლება is used when you are asking for permission or inquiring if a certain action is possible.
What does it mean word for word?
გთხოვთ literally means 'I beg you (plural/polite)', as it is the polite or plural form of the verb meaning 'to beg' or 'to ask'.
Which one should you use?
გთხოვთ is a direct request meaning 'I beg you', while თუ შეიძლება is a more indirect way to say 'please' and literally means 'if it is possible'.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to a single person whom you know well or who is younger than you, you can use the singular form გთხოვ instead of the polite გთხოვთ.
How do you pronounce it?
gtxovt
Did you know?
- The word გთხოვთ is derived from the verb 'to beg'. In Georgian culture this doesn't imply desperation but is the standard way to express a polite request.
- Using the singular form გთხოვ with a stranger or a superior is considered a significant social faux pas and can be perceived as a command rather than a request.
- Even though 'please' is an adverb in English, both Georgian forms function as verbs or conditional phrases.
Examples in context
- გთხოვთ.Please.This sentence shows the use of გთხოვთ as a standalone polite expression.Tatoeba #13943681 by teto, translation #393357 by shanghainese
- ოჰ გთხოვთ!Oh please!This sentence shows how to use გთხოვთ for emphasis.Tatoeba #8470738 by Natalie_71, translation #1349961 by sacredceltic
- ჩაი, გთხოვთ.Tea, please.This sentence shows how to use გთხოვთ when requesting an item.Tatoeba #8470728 by Natalie_71, translation #1362032 by etala
- გთხოვთ მიეცით მისამართი.Please give me the address.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations and entries გთხოვთ, თუ შეიძლება, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
