Δεν μπορώ τώρα, έχω δουλειά σήμερα.

Δεν is the normal word for not before most verbs in Modern Greek. It comes before the verb, so:

• Δεν μπορώ = I cannot / I can’t
• Δεν έχω = I do not have / I don’t have

Greek negation is not formed the way English does with do not. You simply put δεν before the verb.

Μπορώ is the 1st person singular form of the verb μπορώ, meaning I can / I am able.

So:

• μπορώ = I can
• δεν μπορώ = I can’t

In this sentence, Δεν μπορώ τώρα means something like I can’t now or I can’t right now.

Greek often leaves out subject pronouns when they are already clear from the verb ending. This is very common.

• μπορώ already means I can
• έχω already means I have

So Greek does not need εγώ (I) unless you want extra emphasis or contrast:

• Εγώ δεν μπορώ τώρα = I can’t now (with extra emphasis on I)

This is one of the biggest differences from English.

Τώρα means now or right now.

In Δεν μπορώ τώρα, it limits the statement to the present moment:

• Δεν μπορώ τώρα = I can’t now / I can’t right now

Greek word order is fairly flexible, so you may also hear:

• Τώρα δεν μπορώ
• Δεν μπορώ τώρα

Both are natural, but they can sound slightly different in emphasis. The version in your sentence is very normal in everyday speech.

Έχω is the 1st person singular form of the verb έχω, meaning I have.

So:

• έχω = I have
• δεν έχω = I don’t have

In this sentence:

• έχω δουλειά σήμερα = literally I have work today

Depending on context, that can mean:

• I have work today
• I’m working today
• I’m busy today

In Greek, έχω δουλειά is a very common expression meaning:

• I have work
• I’m busy
• I have things to do

So δουλειά appears without an article because it is being used in a general, idiomatic way.

Compare:

• Έχω δουλειά = I have work / I’m busy
• Έχω μια δουλειά = I have a job / a task / something to do
• Η δουλειά μου = my job / my work

So in your sentence, έχω δουλειά σήμερα sounds natural and general, not like talking about one specific job.

Δουλειά can mean several related things, depending on context:

• work
• job
• business
• something to do

In έχω δουλειά σήμερα, it usually means:

• I have work today
• I’m working today
• I’m busy today

It does not necessarily mean a permanent job in the career sense. It can simply mean there is work to do.

Σήμερα means today.

Putting it at the end is completely natural in Greek:

• έχω δουλειά σήμερα = I have work today

Greek often places time expressions in different positions depending on emphasis. You could also hear:

• Σήμερα έχω δουλειά
• Έχω σήμερα δουλειά

But έχω δουλειά σήμερα is very normal and smooth.

The end position often sounds like a simple, neutral statement.

The comma separates two short related clauses:

• Δεν μπορώ τώρα = I can’t now
• έχω δουλειά σήμερα = I have work today

It creates a natural pause, like saying:

• I can’t right now; I have work today.

In speech, you would usually pause slightly there.

You could also connect the ideas more explicitly with words like:

• γιατί = because
• επειδή = because / since

For example:

• Δεν μπορώ τώρα γιατί έχω δουλειά σήμερα.

But the version with just a comma is very common in everyday speech.

Yes, Greek can absolutely say just Δεν μπορώ τώρα.

Literally it is I can’t now, but the missing idea is understood from context, such as:

• I can’t talk now
• I can’t come now
• I can’t do it now

This kind of omission is very natural in both Greek and English when the situation is clear.

So the sentence does not feel incomplete to a native speaker.

On its own, it sounds neutral and natural, not rude. It is a straightforward everyday excuse or explanation.

• Δεν μπορώ τώρα, έχω δουλειά σήμερα. = I can’t right now, I have work today.

If you want to sound softer or more polite, you could add words like:

• Συγγνώμη = Sorry
• δυστυχώς = unfortunately

For example:

• Συγγνώμη, δεν μπορώ τώρα, έχω δουλειά σήμερα.
• Δυστυχώς δεν μπορώ τώρα, έχω δουλειά σήμερα.

Yes, it can. The sentence combines two time ideas:

• τώρα = right now
• σήμερα = today

So the meaning is something like:

• I can’t right now, because I have work today.

The first clause is about the immediate moment, and the second gives the broader reason. That is why both time words can appear together without sounding strange.

Yes, very much so. It is a simple, natural spoken pattern:

• Δεν μπορώ τώρα = short refusal or inability
• έχω δουλειά σήμερα = reason/explanation

Greek often uses short side-by-side clauses like this in conversation instead of making one long formal sentence. That is part of why it sounds realistic and conversational.