ბოდიში
bodiši[b̥o̞diʃi]
The Georgian word for "sorry" is ბოდიში (bodiši).
ბოდიში is used to express regret for a mistake or sorrow. It can also be used to politely ask someone to move out of your way or to get someone's attention, functioning similarly to the English "excuse me".
Meaning: expression of regret or sorrow (intj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ბოდიში is an informal way to say sorry, making it suitable for use with friends or in casual situations.
How do you pronounce it?
bodiši
Did you know?
- The word ბოდიში may share a distant linguistic ancestor with the Persian word پوزش, which also means an apology or regret.
- While ბოდიში is a standard apology, using it to express condolences after a death would be seen as quite strange or even insensitive in Georgian culture.
- While ბოდიში is common, Georgians often use უკაცრავად to say 'excuse me' when interrupting or asking for directions. The latter is rooted in the idea of not wanting to be 'unreasonable' or 'improper'.
Examples in context
- ბოდიში!Sorry!This example shows how to use ბოდიში as a simple apology.Tatoeba #8457805 by Natalie_71, translation #1105399 by dag0310
- ბოდიში…Sorry…This example shows the use of ბოდიში as a trailing apology.Tatoeba #8450634 by Natalie_71, translation #39996 by pierrephi
Example conversation
Giorgi accidentally steps on Ketevan's foot.
- გიორგი Giorgiბოდიში, ქეთევან!bodishi, ketevan!Sorry, Ketevan!
- ქეთევან Ketevanარაარა, ყველაფერი რიგზეა.araara, qvelaperi rigzea.No no, everything is fine.
- გიორგი Giorgiნამდვილად არ დაგინჯორე?namdvilad ar daginjore?Did I really not hurt you?
- ქეთევან Ketevanარა, არაა პრობლემა.ara, araa problema.No, it's not a problem.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ბოდიში, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ბოდიში, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
