Letters people mix up
კ, ქ and ყ: the three Georgian k sounds
Georgian has three letters that all sound like "k" to a new ear, and they make different words: ქარი is wind, კარი is a door. Here is how to say each, side by side.
Side by side
k kani
ქ is the k of "kite": a puff of air follows it. Hold a hand in front of your mouth and you'll feel it.
More about ქk' k'ani
კ is ejective: no puff of air. Close your throat, then let the k out with a short, sharp pop.
More about კq' q'ari
ყ is made further back, in the throat, and popped like კ: a deep, hard k.
More about ყ
Hear them in words
Tap a word to hear it. Listen for the difference, then say it after George.
Good to know
In the national transliteration ქ is k, კ is k' and ყ is q'. Signs and metro maps often drop the apostrophe, so კარგი may be written kargi.