მადლობა
madloba[mädɫo̞bä]
In Georgian, thank you is მადლობა (madloba).
მადლობა is an expression used to show gratitude. To say "thank you very much," you can say დიდი მადლობა, adding the word დიდი (big) before the phrase.
Meaning: an expression of gratitude (intj)
Which one should you use?
While მადლობა is the standard way to express thanks, გმადლობთ is another common form used specifically for formal expressions of gratitude.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
მადლობა is suitable for friends, family or casual settings. In contrast, გმადლობთ is a more formal and polite way to say thank you, making it the better choice for strangers, elders or formal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this context, მადლობა is a noun that functions as an interjection.
How do you pronounce it?
madloba
When do people say it?
When someone says მადლობა to you, the standard response is არაფრის, which means "you're welcome" or "it's nothing."
Did you know?
- In some traditional Georgian contexts, saying მადლობა too frequently can be perceived as creating a distance between people, as if you are treating a close friend or family member like a stranger.
- In a traditional Georgian feast, or 'supra', the toastmaster might use expressions of gratitude that are far more elaborate than a simple მადლობა to honor the guests and the wine.
- The word მადლობა is built from a root meaning 'mercy' or 'grace', suggesting that gratitude is viewed as an act of grace or a favor granted.
Examples in context
- არა, მადლობა.No, thank you.This example shows how to use მადლობა when declining an offer.Tatoeba #6365635 by Otto_Zadschaja, translation #31390 by CK
- მადლობა შენ დარეკვისთვის.Thank you for calling.This sentence demonstrates how to use მადლობა to thank someone for a specific action.Tatoeba #8450222 by Natalie_71, translation #64155 by CK
- დიდი მადლობა,მასწავლებელო!Thank you very much, teacher!This example shows how to use მადლობა to express a large amount of gratitude to a teacher.Tatoeba #8491328 by Natalie_71, translation #13255833 by ntsereteli
Example conversation
Irakli gives Nino a cup of coffee at the office.
- ნინო Ninoმადლობა, ირაკლი.madloba, irakli.Thank you, Irakli.
- ირაკლი Irakliარაფრის, ნინო.arapris, nino.You're welcome, Nino.
- ნინო Ninoეს ძალიან გემრიელია.es dzalian gemrielia.This is very delicious.
- ირაკლი Irakliმიხარია, რომ მოგეწონა.mikharia, rom mogetsona.I'm glad you liked it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry მადლობა, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries მადლობა, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
