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Questions & Answers about Η δουλειά είναι εδώ.
What does each word in the sentence mean?
- Η: the (feminine nominative singular article)
- δουλειά: work / job (feminine noun)
- είναι: is (3rd person of “to be”; also used for “are”)
- εδώ: here Whole sentence: “The work/job is here.”
How do I pronounce it?
- Η: [i] (“ee”)
- δουλειά: [ðuliˈa] (often heard [ðuʎˈa]); roughly “thoo-lyá” (δ = “th” in “this”)
- είναι: [ˈine] (“EE-neh”)
- εδώ: [eˈðo] (“e-THÓ”) Full: [i ðu.liˈa ˈi.ne eˈðo].
Why is the article Η used?
Because δουλειά is a feminine noun. Greek definite articles agree in gender, number, and case:
- Masculine: ο
- Feminine: η
- Neuter: το Here we need feminine nominative singular: η (capitalized to Η at the start of the sentence).
Do I have to use the article here? Could I say just “Δουλειά είναι εδώ”?
Use the article if you mean a specific, identifiable job/work. “Δουλειά είναι εδώ” is odd or sounds like focus/contrast (“It’s work that’s here”), not a neutral statement. Greek generally uses the definite article more than English does with specific singular nouns.
Does δουλειά mean “work” or “job”?
Both, depending on context.
- Mass “work”: Έχω δουλειά. = I have work (to do).
- Countable “job/piece of work”: Βρήκα μια δουλειά. = I found a job. / Έχω μια δουλειά να κάνω. = I have a task to do. In your sentence, context decides whether it’s “the job” or “the work.”
What are the basic forms (cases and plural) of δουλειά?
- Singular: nominative η δουλειά, genitive της δουλειάς, accusative τη(ν) δουλειά
- Plural: nominative οι δουλειές, genitive των δουλειών, accusative τις δουλειές Note the plural stem change: δουλει-ές, δουλει-ών.
What’s the difference between δουλειά and εργασία?
- δουλειά: everyday, informal, the normal word in speech for work/job/task.
- εργασία: more formal/technical (labor, employment, assignment, academic paper). You’ll see it in official contexts: ωράριο εργασίας (working hours), εργασιακά (labor issues).
I’ve seen δουλεία too. Is that the same word?
No. Be careful:
- δουλειά = work/job
- δουλεία = slavery/servitude They can sound the same in modern pronunciation, so the difference is in spelling and meaning.
Why is είναι spelled with “ει”? Could it just be “ίναι”?
Greek has several spellings for the “ee” sound /i/: ι, η, υ, ει, οι, υι. The spelling of είναι is historical and fixed; you just have to memorize it.
What’s the full present-tense conjugation of “to be” (είμαι)?
- εγώ είμαι = I am
- εσύ είσαι = you are (sg)
- αυτός/αυτή/αυτό είναι = he/she/it is
- εμείς είμαστε = we are
- εσείς είστε/είσαστε = you are (pl/polite)
- αυτοί/αυτές/αυτά είναι = they are Note είναι is both 3rd singular and plural; context clarifies.
Can I change the word order?
Yes, for emphasis.
- Neutral: Η δουλειά είναι εδώ.
- Emphasis on “here”: Εδώ είναι η δουλειά. Placing εδώ at the very end (as in the original) is the most neutral way to state location.
How would I say “There is work here”?
Use “there exists”: Υπάρχει δουλειά εδώ.
If you mean “There is a job here,” you can say Υπάρχει μια δουλειά εδώ.
How do I say “The jobs are here”?
Οι δουλειές είναι εδώ.
Note the plural article οι and plural noun δουλειές. The verb stays είναι (same form for plural).
What does the accent mark (τόνος) do in these words?
It marks the stressed syllable:
- δουλειά (stress on -λιά)
- είναι (EI-)
- εδώ (-ΔΩ) The article η is not accented; ή (with accent) is the conjunction “or.” In capitals, you may see Ή for “or,” while the article is just Η.
Any letter-by-letter tips for pronouncing these words?
- δ = voiced “th” as in “this” ([ð]), never like English “d.”
- ου = “oo” in “food.”
- ει (here in δουλειά, είναι) = “ee.”
- The sequence λια in δουλειά is often pronounced with a “y” glide: “lyá.”