Meaning
A store with high prices.
Cultural Background
In Georgia, people often distinguish between a 'maghazia' (fixed price) and a 'bazari' (negotiable price). Calling a 'maghazia' expensive is a common way to justify going to the 'bazari' instead. The Vake district is synonymous with 'ძვირი მაღაზიები.' Using this phrase when talking about Vake is almost a cliché among Tbilisi residents. The term 'maghazia' replaced many older terms for shops during the Soviet era. Today, 'ძვირი მაღაზია' is often associated with Western imports. Expats often use this phrase to describe 'tourist traps' in the Old Town where prices are inflated compared to local neighborhoods.
The 'i' Drop
Remember to drop the 'i' in 'dzviri' when saying 'in the shop' (dzvir maghaziashi).
Don't say 'dzvirpasi'
Avoid calling a shop 'dzvirpasi' unless you really, really love it emotionally.
Meaning
A store with high prices.
The 'i' Drop
Remember to drop the 'i' in 'dzviri' when saying 'in the shop' (dzvir maghaziashi).
Don't say 'dzvirpasi'
Avoid calling a shop 'dzvirpasi' unless you really, really love it emotionally.
Use 'dzalian'
Add 'dzalian' (very) to sound more natural when complaining about prices.
Bargaining
You can't bargain in a 'dzviri maghazia,' but you MUST bargain in a 'bazari.'
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
მე არ შევდივარ ამ _____ მაღაზიაში. (expensive)
Because of the suffix '-ში' in 'მაღაზიაში', the adjective 'ძვირი' drops the 'i'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'This is an expensive shop'?
'ეს ძვირი მაღაზიაა' is the collocation, while 'ეს მაღაზია ძვირია' is a sentence meaning 'This shop is expensive.'
Match the Georgian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Simple vocabulary matching.
Complete the dialogue.
A: გინდა ამ მაღაზიაში შესვლა? B: არა, ძალიან ______ ______.
The context of 'არა' (no) suggests a negative reason like high price.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Dzviri vs. Iapi
Where you find 'Dzviri' prices
Places
- • Vake
- • Rustaveli Ave
- • Malls
Practice Bank
4 exercisesმე არ შევდივარ ამ _____ მაღაზიაში. (expensive)
Because of the suffix '-ში' in 'მაღაზიაში', the adjective 'ძვირი' drops the 'i'.
How do you say 'This is an expensive shop'?
'ეს ძვირი მაღაზიაა' is the collocation, while 'ეს მაღაზია ძვირია' is a sentence meaning 'This shop is expensive.'
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Simple vocabulary matching.
A: გინდა ამ მაღაზიაში შესვლა? B: არა, ძალიან ______ ______.
The context of 'არა' (no) suggests a negative reason like high price.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's a neutral statement of fact. You can say it to anyone.
Yes, if the supermarket has high prices, it's a 'dzviri maghazia.'
The opposite is 'iapi maghazia' (cheap shop).
Use 'zedmetad dzviri' (excessively expensive).
It's a loanword, but it's been used for over a century and is considered standard Georgian.
No, adjectives in Georgian stay singular when they come before a plural noun.
No, that would be confusing. Use it only for objects or places.
'Dzviri' is common/daily; 'dzviradghirebuli' is formal/technical.
It's like a soft 'g' or the French 'r'. Practice by making a gargling sound.
Yes, people say 'tsetskhlis pasebia' (fire prices) to mean it's very expensive.
Related Phrases
იაფი მაღაზია
contrastCheap shop
ძვირადღირებული
synonymHigh-priced / Costly
ფასდაკლება
builds onSale / Discount
ბრენდული მაღაზია
similarBrand shop
