This page is about the basics of the Georgian verb system. If you are looking for the Verb Conjugations, go to this page instead!
The verbs are the most important words to learn and master in any language. In the Georgian grammar, the verbs are especially rich, allowing the expression of very fine nuances in meaning (verb versions) or relations between subject and objects. For example:
- მე ვწერ წერილს - I am writing a letter
- მე ვაწერ წერილს - I am writing a letter (ა-, on some surface)
- მე ვუწერ წერილს - I am writing a letter (უ- to someone)
- მე ჩავუწერ წერილს - I am writing a letter (to someone and ჩა-, into something, e.g. a notebook)
- წერილი ეწერება - the letter is being written (ე- for someone)
Also, there are other differences in meaning, e.g. when choosing a transitive verb (წერს რამეს - writing something) or a passive verb (იწერება - something is being written).
Overall, the Georgian verb system is complex and does compose challenge to the learner, there is no denying that. On the other hand, it is possible for the novice learner to get a basic idea of how to conjugate verbs and use the most important moods and tenses, starting with the indicative tenses present, future and aorist. Advanced learners would later progress with getting used to the imperfect indicative and the conditional mood and the optative mood, enabling them to understand and express almost all common phrases in Georgian.
In most grammars, the Georgian verbs are subdivided into groups according to their conjugation type:
Stefan