Meaning
Commanding someone to cease an action.
Cultural Background
In Georgian culture, directness is not necessarily rudeness. A sharp 'Gacherdi' between friends is a sign of intimacy and honesty. Hospitality rules often invert the meaning of 'Stop'. It can mean 'Stop trying to leave' as a way of showing love. In the chaotic traffic of Tbilisi, 'Gacherdi' is the universal language between pedestrians and drivers. The Tamada uses commands to maintain order. 'Gacherdit' (formal) is used to silence the table for a toast.
The Taxi Rule
Always use 'Gacherdit' (formal) with taxi drivers unless you want to sound like a rude teenager.
Don't use 'Ar'
Never say 'Ar gacherdi' for 'Don't stop'. It's always 'Nu gacherdebi'.
Meaning
Commanding someone to cease an action.
The Taxi Rule
Always use 'Gacherdit' (formal) with taxi drivers unless you want to sound like a rude teenager.
Don't use 'Ar'
Never say 'Ar gacherdi' for 'Don't stop'. It's always 'Nu gacherdebi'.
Hand Gestures
Pair 'Gacherdi' with a raised palm for maximum effectiveness.
Test Yourself
You are in a taxi with an elderly driver. How do you ask him to stop?
ბატონო, აქ _______, თუ შეიძლება.
You must use the formal '-it' ending when speaking to an elder ('Batono').
Tell your friend to stop because a car is coming.
_______! მანქანა მოდის!
'Gacherdi' is the correct informal command for a friend.
Match the phrase to the situation.
1. გაჩერდით! 2. გაჩერდი!
Plural for a group, singular for one friend.
Complete the dialogue.
A: მე მგონი, დავიკარგეთ. B: _______, რუკას შევხედავ.
B wants A to stop so they can look at the map.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to say Gacherdi
Situations
- • Taxi
- • Argument
- • Safety
- • Feast
Practice Bank
4 exercisesბატონო, აქ _______, თუ შეიძლება.
You must use the formal '-it' ending when speaking to an elder ('Batono').
_______! მანქანა მოდის!
'Gacherdi' is the correct informal command for a friend.
1. გაჩერდით! 2. გაჩერდი!
Plural for a group, singular for one friend.
A: მე მგონი, დავიკარგეთ. B: _______, რუკას შევხედავ.
B wants A to stop so they can look at the map.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot with friends, but it is rude with elders or strangers. Use 'Gacherdit' for them.
Yes, you can say 'Manqana gacherda' (The car stopped) or tell a driver 'Gacherdi'.
You can say 'Gacherdi!' or 'Kmara!' (Enough!).
The formal version is 'Gacherdit' (გაჩერდით).
It's a softer way to say it than 'Mokete', but it's still quite direct.
Use 'Nu gacherdebi'.
No, 'Stay' is 'Darchi'. 'Gacherdi' is 'Stop'.
Yes, many Georgian pop songs use it in the context of 'Stop the time' or 'Stop the pain'.
It's an aspirated 'ch', like in the English word 'church'.
Yes, it's the standard command for dogs.
Related Phrases
მოიცადე
similarWait
შეჩერდი
synonymStop/Pause
დაწყნარდი
builds onCalm down
კმარა
specialized formEnough
ნუ აკეთებ
contrastDon't do it
