Το μηχάνημα δεν λειτουργεί.

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.

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.

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.

Greek often does not need subject pronouns when the verb already shows the person and number.

In English, you say:

• It is not working

In Greek, the subject can simply be named:

• Το μηχάνημα δεν λειτουργεί

There is no need to add a separate word for it, because το μηχάνημα already tells you what the subject is.

Even when the subject is not stated, Greek often leaves pronouns out because the verb ending gives enough information.

Λειτουργεί is the 3rd person singular present tense of λειτουργώ.

That means it is used for:

• he/she/it works
• he/she/it is working
• it operates
• it is operating

Here it matches το μηχάνημα, which is singular, so Greek uses the 3rd person singular form.

This is because the verb λειτουργώ belongs to a common Modern Greek verb pattern, and in the present tense the 3rd person singular often ends in -εί.

For this verb:

• λειτουργώ = I work / I operate / I function
• λειτουργεί = he/she/it works / operates / functions

Also notice the accent:

• λειτουργεί

That accent matters in writing and pronunciation.

A simple pronunciation guide is:

to mi-HA-ni-ma then lee-tour-GHEE

A few useful notes:

• το = to
• μη sounds like mee
• χ in μηχάνημα is not an English h. It is a rough sound, like the ch in German Bach or Scottish loch.
• δεν is pronounced then, with δ sounding like the th in this
• ει is pronounced ee
• The stress falls on:
  • μηΧΑνημα
  • λειτουργΕΙ

So the strongest beats are on HA and GHEE.

Because λειτουργεί already means works / is working / operates as a full verb.

In English, we often build the progressive form with is + -ing:

• It is working

Greek does not need a separate is here. The verb itself carries the meaning.

So:

• δεν λειτουργεί can mean doesn’t work or isn’t working, depending on context.

Yes, Greek word order is more flexible than English, though not completely free.

The neutral, most natural order here is:

• Το μηχάνημα δεν λειτουργεί.

You may also hear different orders for emphasis, for example:

• Δεν λειτουργεί το μηχάνημα.

That can sound like:

• The machine isn’t working
• or with slight emphasis, It’s the machine that isn’t working

So the original order is the safest one to learn first.

Yes, but it changes the feel.

• Το μηχάνημα δεν λειτουργεί. = The machine isn’t working.
• Μηχάνημα δεν λειτουργεί. is not the normal plain equivalent of A machine isn’t working in most contexts

In Greek, articles are used more often than in English, so leaving out το can sound unnatural unless there is a specific reason, such as headlines, labels, or special emphasis.

So for normal everyday speech, το μηχάνημα is the natural choice.

No. Λειτουργεί is quite broad. It can be used for:

• machines and devices
• systems
• services
• plans or methods
• organizations

Examples:

• Ο υπολογιστής δεν λειτουργεί. = The computer isn’t working.
• Το σύστημα λειτουργεί καλά. = The system works well.
• Αυτό το σχέδιο δεν λειτουργεί. = This plan doesn’t work.

So it often means functions, operates, or works in a general sense.

The plural is:

• τα μηχανήματα = the machines

So:

• Το μηχάνημα δεν λειτουργεί. = The machine isn’t working.
• Τα μηχανήματα δεν λειτουργούν. = The machines aren’t working.

Notice that both the article and the verb change:

• το → τα
• λειτουργεί → λειτουργούν

It is neutral and standard. You can use it in everyday conversation, customer service, technical contexts, or writing.

It sounds slightly more neutral or technical than δεν δουλεύει, which is also very common:

• Το μηχάνημα δεν λειτουργεί. = a bit more formal/technical
• Το μηχάνημα δεν δουλεύει. = very common in everyday speech

Both are natural, but λειτουργεί is an excellent standard verb to learn.