Vehicles

1. მანქანა

   Mankana

   Car

   Usage

   Also means "machine". The ქ is aspirated — keep it distinct from the ejective კ

2. ავტობუსი

   Avt'obusi

   Bus

   Usage

   Tbilisi city buses. Pay by transit card or contactless — cash is not accepted

3. მარშრუტკა

   Marshrut'k'a

   Marshrutka (shared minibus)

   Usage

   The backbone of travel in Georgia. No timetable — it leaves when full, and is often the only public transport to a regional town. Say "gamicheret" to be let off

4. მიკროავტობუსი

   Mik'roavt'obusi

   Minibus (official term)

   Usage

   The written form of marshrutka — this is what appears on bus station boards and schedules

5. მატარებელი

   Mat'arebeli

   Train

   Usage

   Main lines are Tbilisi–Batumi and Tbilisi–Zugdidi; more comfortable than a marshrutka but far less frequent

6. ღამის მატარებელი

   Ghamis mat'arebeli

   Night train

   Usage

   The classic way from Tbilisi towards Svaneti via Zugdidi. Sleeper berths sell out, so book online in advance

7. მეტრო

   Met'ro

   Metro

   Usage

   Tbilisi has two lines. Built in the Soviet era, the stations are deep and the escalators long

8. ტაქსი

   T'aksi

   Taxi

   Usage

   Ride-hailing apps are widespread and quote the fare up front, which is safer than hailing on the street

9. ჯიპი

   Jip'i

   4x4 / jeep

   Usage

   The only way up the unpaved roads to Gergeti church, Tusheti or Shatili. Shared 4x4s leave from the village square

10. საბაგირო

    Sabagiro

    Cable car / ropeway

    Usage

    Covers the Narikala line in Tbilisi, the Soviet-era cabins of Chiatura and the Gudauri ski lifts. Some lines accept the transit card

11. ფუნიკულიორი

    Punik'uliori

    Funicular

    Usage

    The line up to Mtatsminda Park in Tbilisi. A different vehicle from the ropeway, with its own card

12. მოტოციკლი

    Mot'otsik'li

    Motorcycle

    Usage

    For touring the Military Highway; the mountain surfaces are rough, so check the bike carefully

13. სკუტერი

    Sk'ut'eri

    Scooter

    Usage

    Rentable along the Batumi seafront; the word also covers the shared e-scooters in town

14. ველოსიპედი

    Velosip'edi

    Bicycle

    Usage

    Tbilisi is hilly, but the Batumi seafront boulevard is flat and easy

15. თვითმფრინავი

    Tvitmprinavi

    Airplane

    Usage

    Literally "the self-flying thing". The international airports are Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi

16. გემი

    Gemi

    Ship

    Usage

    The Black Sea ports are Batumi and Poti; passenger routes are limited

17. ბორანი

    Borani

    Ferry

    Usage

    The word for the cargo-and-passenger ferries across the Black Sea; passenger sailings are rare, so check ahead

18. ნავი

    Navi

    Boat

    Usage

    Use it to rent a boat on Turtle Lake in Tbilisi or along the Batumi shore

19. სასწრაფო

    Sasts'rapo

    Ambulance

    Usage

    The emergency number is 112. The full form is sasts'rapo dakhmareba, but the short word is enough in speech

20. სახანძრო მანქანა

    Sakhandzro mankana

    Fire engine

    Usage

    For describing the situation when you report a fire; the number is also 112

21. სატვირთო მანქანა

    Sat'virto mankana

    Truck

    Usage

    Use it when describing an accident or a hold-up; the Military Highway carries heavy freight

22. ავტომობილის ქირაობა

    Avt'omobilis kiraoba

    Car rental

    Usage

    Ask for a 4x4 if you plan on mountain roads. The ქ in kiraoba is aspirated

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