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Όχι τώρα, πάω δουλειά.

Όχι τώρα, πάω δουλειά.
Not now, I am going to work.
FromLesson 2inHardcore Greek
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Breakdown of Όχι τώρα, πάω δουλειά.

τώρα
now
πάω
to go
η δουλειά
the work
όχι
not

Questions & Answers about Όχι τώρα, πάω δουλειά.

Why is there no article or preposition before δουλειά? Shouldn’t it be στη δουλειά?

In everyday Greek, certain destination or activity nouns can appear bare after motion verbs like πάω to express destination or purpose. So πάω δουλειά is a colloquial, very common shorthand.

  • Πάω δουλειά = I’m going to work (colloquial; destination/purpose understood)
  • Πάω στη δουλειά = I’m going to the workplace (explicit destination; neutral)
  • Πάω για δουλειά = I’m heading off to work / I’m leaving for work (focus on purpose)

All three are widely used; the bare-noun version is just more informal and compact.

Can I say πάω για δουλειά instead? What’s the nuance?
Yes. Πάω για δουλειά highlights the purpose (“for work”), often used when you’re leaving home to start a shift. Πάω στη δουλειά emphasizes the place (the workplace). Πάω δουλειά sits in between, and context supplies the rest.
Is πάω the same as πηγαίνω?

They’re near-synonyms in the present. Πάω is very common and slightly more colloquial; πηγαίνω can sound a bit more formal or neutral. Key principal parts:

  • Present: πάω / πηγαίνω
  • Aorist (simple past): πήγα
  • Imperfect (used-to-go/was going): πήγαινα
  • Future: θα πάω
Why is the present used here? Shouldn’t it be θα πάω for “I will go”?
Greek often uses the present for near-future plans already underway or about to happen. Πάω δουλειά implies “I’m going now/soon.” Θα πάω (στη δουλειά) pushes it further into the future or makes it sound more like a plan than an immediate action. Both are correct; context decides.
Can I add the subject pronoun εγώ?
Yes, but only for emphasis: Εγώ πάω δουλειά = “I’m the one going to work.” Greek drops subject pronouns by default because the verb ending (-ω) already signals 1st person singular.
How do I pronounce the sentence?
  • Όχι = [ˈoçi] (the χ is like German “Bach,” not “k” or “h”)
  • τώρα = [ˈtora]
  • πάω = [ˈpa.o] (two syllables: pa-o; often flows together)
  • δουλειά = commonly [ðuˈʎa] or [ðulˈja] (a “dyoo-LYA” sound); stress on the last syllable

A practical romanization: Óchi tóra, páo douliá.

Is the comma after Όχι τώρα necessary?

It’s natural and common because Όχι τώρα is an introductory interjection. You could also write:

  • Όχι τώρα. Πάω δουλειά.
  • Όχι τώρα — πάω δουλειά. All are fine; the comma is the most typical.
Can I say Τώρα όχι instead of Όχι τώρα?
Yes. Όχι τώρα (“Not now”) is the default. Τώρα όχι (“Now, no”) is also common in replies and can feel slightly more contrastive, as in “Not now (maybe later).”
What case is δουλειά here?

Accusative singular, functioning as a bare-noun destination/purpose after πάω. For feminine δουλειά:

  • Nominative: η δουλειά
  • Genitive: της δουλειάς
  • Accusative: τη(ν) δουλειά The nominative and accusative look the same in form; the article shows the case when present.
What’s the difference between δουλειά and δουλεία?
  • δουλειά = work/job (what you want here)
  • δουλεία = slavery (very different meaning!) They look similar but differ in spelling, stress, and meaning.
Why not στο δουλειά?
Because δουλειά is feminine. στο = σε + το (neuter/masc.), which doesn’t match. Use στη(ν) δουλειά. The final -ν in στην is optional here; στη δουλειά is the most usual spelling.
Are there other nouns that commonly appear bare after πάω?

Yes, it’s a pattern with routine destinations/activities:

  • πάω σπίτι (go home)
  • πάω σχολείο (go to school)
  • πάω εκκλησία (go to church)
  • πάω ύπνο (go to sleep)
  • πάω σινεμά (go to the movies)
  • πάω βόλτα (go for a walk)
  • πάω ψώνια (go shopping)
Is πάω δουλειά informal? What’s a more formal or polite alternative?

It’s neutral–colloquial. For something more careful/polite you might say:

  • Συγγνώμη, τώρα πηγαίνω στη δουλειά.
  • Λυπάμαι, αυτή τη στιγμή πάω στη δουλειά.
Can I use φεύγω here?

Yes, but structure changes:

  • Φεύγω για δουλειά. = I’m leaving for work. Don’t say φεύγω δουλειά. With φεύγω, use για to mark purpose/destination.
If I mean “I’m going to do some work” (not necessarily to the workplace), how do I say that?

Use a verb of doing:

  • Πάω να δουλέψω. = I’m going to work (do some work).
  • Πάω να δουλέψω λίγο. = I’m going to get a bit of work done. This focuses on the activity rather than the workplace.

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