Το μηχάνημα δεν λειτουργεί.

The machine is not working.

Breakdown of Το μηχάνημα δεν λειτουργεί.

• δεν: not
• λειτουργώ: to work
• το μηχάνημα: machine

Questions & Answers about Το μηχάνημα δεν λειτουργεί.

Why is it το and not ο or η?

Because μηχάνημα is a neuter noun in Greek. The singular definite articles are:

• ο for masculine
• η for feminine
• το for neuter

So:

• το μηχάνημα = the machine

A lot of Greek nouns have grammatical gender, and the article must match the noun’s gender.

What does μηχάνημα mean exactly, and what kind of word is it?

Μηχάνημα is a noun meaning machine, device, or piece of equipment, depending on context.

It is:

• neuter
• singular
• in the nominative case here, because it is the subject of the sentence

So in this sentence, το μηχάνημα is the thing that is not working.

Why does Greek use δεν here?

Δεν is the normal word for not before most verbs in Greek.

So:

• λειτουργεί = works / is working / operates
• δεν λειτουργεί = does not work / is not working

It goes directly before the verb phrase. This is the standard way to make a statement negative in Modern Greek.