Ch, ts, dz: close cousins

Read from left to right

These lessons use Mkhedruli, the everyday Georgian script. Each letter keeps its identity wherever it appears in a word; there are no Arabic-style joining forms. Mtavruli capitals appear in headings and emphasis, but everyday Georgian does not capitalise the first letter of a sentence.

chin

Chin makes ch with a puff of air. Compare ჩ ჭ ჯ: airy ch, ejective ch, voiced j.

ჩ

chin

tsan

Tsan combines t and s with a puff of air. It is one consonant, unlike two separate letters.

ც

tsan

dzil

Dzil makes dz, as at the end of adds. Compare ძ წ ჭ by tracing their lower parts.

ძ

dzil

tsil

Tsil makes ejective ts. It is different from the airy ts of tsan ც.

წ

tsil