Δεν πάω σπίτι τώρα γιατί είμαι στη δουλειά.

I am not going home now because I am at work.

Breakdown of Δεν πάω σπίτι τώρα γιατί είμαι στη δουλειά.

• είμαι: to be
• τώρα: now
• πάω: to go
• το σπίτι: the home
• η δουλειά: the work
• δεν: not
• σε: at
• γιατί: because

Questions & Answers about Δεν πάω σπίτι τώρα γιατί είμαι στη δουλειά.

Why is there no article before σπίτι? Shouldn’t it be στο σπίτι?

In Greek, σπίτι can function adverbially to mean “home,” so it often appears without a preposition or article.

• Πάω σπίτι. = I’m going home.
• Είμαι σπίτι. = I’m at home. With the article/preposition it’s more place-specific:
• Πάω στο σπίτι. = I’m going to the house (often a specific house).
• Είμαι στο σπίτι. = I’m at the house. Both versions are correct; the bare σπίτι is the most idiomatic for “home.”

Why is it στη δουλειά and not στο δουλειά?

Because δουλειά is feminine. The preposition σε contracts with the definite article:

• σε + τη(ν) → στη(ν) (feminine singular) → στη δουλειά
• σε + το → στο (neuter singular) → στο σπίτι
• σε + τον → στον (masculine singular)
• Plurals: στα, στις, στους

Should it be στην δουλειά with a final ν?

Both στη δουλειά and στην δουλειά are heard. The usual guideline keeps the final ν of στην before vowels and certain consonants (κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ, γκ, μπ, ντ, τσ, τζ). Since δουλειά starts with δ, many speakers drop the ν: στη δουλειά is very common; keeping it (στην δουλειά) isn’t wrong, just less common in standard writing.

Why do we use δεν and not μην?

δεν negates the indicative (statements of fact): Δεν πάω… μη(ν) negates the subjunctive/imperative:

• Μην πας σπίτι τώρα. (Don’t go home now.)
• Να μην πάω σπίτι; (Should I not go home?)

Does γιατί mean “because” or “why”? How do I avoid confusion?

Both. γιατί = “why” in questions and “because” in answers/clauses. Context and intonation disambiguate. If you want to be extra clear for “because,” you can use επειδή:

• Γιατί δεν πας σπίτι; (Why aren’t you going home?)
• Δεν πάω σπίτι γιατί/επειδή είμαι στη δουλειά. (…because I’m at work.)

Do I need a comma before γιατί?

It’s common (and often recommended) to use a comma when the clause gives a reason: Δεν πάω σπίτι τώρα, γιατί είμαι στη δουλειά. You’ll also see it without the comma in informal writing. Using the comma is a safe choice.

Can I say Δεν πηγαίνω σπίτι τώρα instead of Δεν πάω? Any difference?

Yes. πάω and πηγαίνω are both correct in the present. πάω is more colloquial and very common; πηγαίνω can sound a bit more formal or habitual. Here they mean the same: “I’m not going (home) now.”

Where can I put τώρα? Does position change the meaning?

Greek is flexible:

• Δεν πάω σπίτι τώρα. (neutral; “now” goes with the whole statement)
• Τώρα δεν πάω σπίτι. (emphasizes the “now” contrast)
• Δεν πάω τώρα σπίτι. (slight emphasis that the going is not happening now) All are fine; differences are about emphasis, not basic meaning.

Why does present πάω translate as “I’m not going (now)”? Does Greek have a continuous present?

Greek present covers both simple and progressive meanings. Δεν πάω can mean “I don’t go” or “I’m not going,” and τώρα clarifies it’s happening now. Context and adverbs (like τώρα) supply the nuance.

How do I pronounce the tricky parts?

• δ sounds like th in “this,” so δεν ≈ then.
• για is “ya,” so γιατί ≈ ya-TEE.
• ου is “oo,” so δου… starts doo-.
• ει/ι/η/υ usually sound like “ee”: σπίτι ≈ SPEE-tee; είμαι ≈ EE-me.
• δουλειά ≈ doo-lyá (with a soft “ly” sound). Stresses: ΠΆω, ΣΠΊτι, ΤΌρα, γιαΤΊ, ΕΊμαι, δουΛΙΆ.

What exactly does είμαι στη δουλειά mean? Is it “I’m working”?

Είμαι στη δουλειά means “I’m at work” (at the workplace). “I’m working” is δουλεύω. You can say both if both are true, but they’re not identical.

How do I say “to my home” or “at my home”?

• Going: Πάω σπίτι μου or Πάω στο σπίτι μου.
• Being: Είμαι σπίτι μου or Είμαι στο σπίτι μου. Without στο is the more idiomatic “home”; with στο it’s more place-specific.

What case follows σε? Is δουλειά accusative here?

Yes. Modern Greek uses σε + accusative for “in/at/to.” So σε + (τη) δουλειά → στη δουλειά (accusative singular feminine).

Why do I sometimes see δε πάω without the final ν in δεν?

Colloquially, the final ν can drop before many consonants. Standard spelling keeps it before vowels and certain consonants like π, so δεν πάω is the careful form here. You may still hear δε πάω in casual speech.

How would I turn this into the question “Why am I not going home now?”

Γιατί δεν πάω σπίτι τώρα; Remember the Greek question mark is the semicolon (;).

Are there synonyms for γιατί meaning “because”?

Yes:

• επειδή (neutral/common): Δεν πάω σπίτι τώρα επειδή είμαι στη δουλειά.
• διότι (formal): …διότι είμαι στη δουλειά.