Learn Hardcore Greek: Πάω δουλειά τώρα.

πάω δουλειά, πάω σχολείο, πάω σπίτι, πάω εκκλησία, πάω φυλακή. Adding σε/στη is also possible and more explicit about the place: πάω στη δουλειά.

What’s the difference between πάω δουλειά, πάω στη δουλειά, and πάω για δουλειά?

πάω δουλειά: colloquial, very common; focuses on the routine/activity of work.
πάω στη δουλειά: neutral; emphasizes the workplace as a location.
πάω για δουλειά: “I’m off to work (my shift)”; stresses the purpose; often with φεύγω: Φεύγω για δουλειά.

What case is δουλειά here?

Accusative singular as a destination. For feminine nouns in -α, nominative and accusative look the same (δουλειά), so there’s no visible change.

Could I use πηγαίνω instead of πάω?

Yes. Both mean “go.” Πάω is the default in speech, especially for immediate/one‑off going. Πηγαίνω is slightly more formal or used for habits: Πηγαίνω στη δουλειά κάθε μέρα. Future/aspect: θα πάω (one time) vs θα πηγαίνω (repeated/ongoing).

Does the present tense here mean “I’m going now”?

Yes. Greek present covers both simple and progressive. With τώρα it clearly means a current action. Without τώρα, context decides whether it’s habitual or happening now.

Can I move τώρα around? For example, Τώρα πάω δουλειά or Πάω τώρα στη δουλειά?

Yes. All are fine. Putting τώρα first emphasizes “now”; placing it after the destination is very natural in speech: Πάω στη δουλειά τώρα.

How do I pronounce the sentence?

Πάω: [ˈpa.o] (two syllables; stress on πά‑).
δουλειά: [ðuˈʎa] (δ = voiced th as in “this”; λει = palatal [ʎ]; stress on the last syllable).
τώρα: [ˈtoɾa] (tapped/trilled ρ; stress on τό‑).

Why not στην δουλειά? I often see both στη and στην.

Before δουλειά, the standard is στη δουλειά. The final -ν of στην is typically kept only before vowels and certain consonants (κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ, γκ, μπ, ντ, τσ, τζ). Many speakers keep the -ν more often in careful speech, so you’ll also hear στην δουλειά.

What are the other forms of πάω so I can change the subject?

Present indicative:

I: πάω
you (sg): πας
he/she/it: πάει
we: πάμε
you (pl): πάτε
they: πάνε Example: Πάμε δουλειά τώρα = “We’re going to work now.”

What gender is δουλειά, and how does it decline with the article?

Feminine.

Singular: η δουλειά (nom), της δουλειάς (gen), τη δουλειά (acc)
Plural: οι δουλειές (nom/acc), των δουλειών (gen)

Is πάω δουλειά too casual? How would I say it more formally or neutrally?

It’s perfectly normal in everyday speech. More neutral/formal variants:

Πηγαίνω στη δουλειά τώρα.
Πάω στη δουλειά τώρα.
Very natural in conversation: Φεύγω για δουλειά τώρα.

Does δουλειά always mean “work/job”? How is it different from εργασία?

δουλειά: everyday word for job/work; also “task/chore.” Example: Έχω δουλειά = “I’m busy/I have things to do.”
εργασία: formal “work/labor,” also “assignment/paper” in school or academia. Example: παρουσιάζω την εργασία μου.

Is there any risk of ambiguity without the article? Could πάω τη δουλειά ever be right?

Without a preposition, πάω τη δουλειά is not used to mean “go to work.” It would sound like “I take/carry the work,” which is odd here. Use:

institutional bare noun: πάω δουλειά
with place/article: πάω στη δουλειά
with purpose: πάω για δουλειά

How would I ask someone “Are you going to work now?” in Greek?

Πας δουλειά τώρα;
Πας στη δουλειά τώρα; Note the Greek question mark is a semicolon: ;

Any spelling/stress tips for these words?

Every multisyllabic Greek word has one accent mark: Πάω, δουλειά, τώρα.
The accent shows the stressed syllable and can change meaning in other pairs, so keep it.
δουλειά has one lambda (λ) and ει is pronounced [i].