ВИНО, ЖИР, БУБНА, ЧИРВА

In Ukrainian, the suits of playing cards are called:

• "Vyno" (Piki) – Spades

• "Zhyr" (Trefi) – Clubs

• "Dzvinky" (Bubna) – Diamonds

• "Chyrva" (Chirva) – Hearts

In many card games, "Vyno" is the first suit, while "Zhyr" is the second. Interestingly, in Megrelian, the word "zhyr" means "two", which aligns with clubs being the second suit. If this pattern holds, then "Vyno" should relate to "one," right?

According to Ariane Chanturia’s dictionary, the Georgian word "vin" (ვინ)—besides its primary meaning "who"—also functions as an indefinite article, which historically derived from the numeral "one." The dictionary even translates it directly as "one/some."

The word "bubna" is a Georgian verbal noun (masdar) meaning "to beat, to strike." This provides a clear etymological link between the word "buben" (drum) and the diamond suit (bubny).

Similarly, the Georgian masdar "chyrva" (ჭირვა) appears in dictionaries with the meaning "grieving"—which explains why the heart suit is depicted as a heart, symbolizing sorrow.