Learn Hardcore Greek: Ο μπαμπάς σου δεν δουλεύει σήμερα;

Greek often uses normal statement word order for yes/no questions. Intonation and the question mark (;) make it a question. You could also add μήπως for a “by any chance” tone: Μήπως ο μπαμπάς σου δεν δουλεύει σήμερα;

What does each word do grammatically?

Ο: masculine nominative singular definite article (“the”).
μπαμπάς: “dad,” masculine noun, nominative (subject).
σου: enclitic possessive pronoun “your” (informal singular), placed after the noun.
δεν: negation particle used with indicative.
δουλεύει: 3rd person singular present of δουλεύω (“work”).
σήμερα: adverb “today”.

Why do we use δεν here and not μην?

δεν negates the indicative (most statements and questions): δεν δουλεύει.
μην negates the subjunctive/imperative or after particles like να/ας: να μην δουλεύει, μη δουλεύεις.

How do I answer a negative yes/no question like this without getting confused?

Answer according to the truth of the negative statement:

If he indeed is not working: Ναι, δεν δουλεύει.
If he is working: Όχι, δουλεύει. Greek ναι affirms what was said; όχι denies it.

Why is the article Ο used before μπαμπάς? Could I drop it?

Greek typically uses the definite article with specific people, including family members: ο μπαμπάς, η μαμά, ο φίλος μου. Dropping it (“Μπαμπάς σου…”) is generally unidiomatic here.

What’s the difference between μπαμπάς and πατέρας?

μπαμπάς: informal, “dad.”
πατέρας: neutral/formal, “father.” A more formal version of the sentence: Ο πατέρας σου δεν εργάζεται σήμερα;

What exactly is σου? Is it an adjective?

It’s an enclitic possessive pronoun (genitive of εσύ). In Greek, possessives typically follow the noun: ο μπαμπάς σου. For emphasis you can use ο δικός σου μπαμπάς.

How do I make “your” formal or plural?

Use σας: Ο μπαμπάς σας δεν δουλεύει σήμερα; (speaking to one person formally or to multiple people).

Can I change the word order?

Yes, Greek is flexible. These are all natural, with different emphasis:

Ο μπαμπάς σου δεν δουλεύει σήμερα; (neutral)
Δεν δουλεύει ο μπαμπάς σου σήμερα; (focus on the negation)
Σήμερα ο μπαμπάς σου δεν δουλεύει; (emphasis on “today”)

Does δουλεύει mean both “works” and “is working”?

Yes. The Greek present covers both habitual and progressive meanings. Context/adverbs clarify:

Δουλεύει. = He works / He is working.
Σήμερα δεν δουλεύει. = He isn’t working today.

Is there a more formal verb than δουλεύω?

Yes, εργάζομαι is more formal: Ο πατέρας σου δεν εργάζεται σήμερα; Everyday speech prefers δουλεύω.

Any pronunciation tips for tricky letters here?

δ = voiced “th” as in “this.”
μπ at the start = “b” (so μπα- sounds like “ba-”).
ευ before a vowel sounds like “ev” (so -λεύει ≈ “LEH-vee”).
ει = “ee.”
σήμερα is stressed on the first syllable: ΣΊ-με-ρα.

What about the little -ν in δεν? I’ve heard people say just δε.

In speech, δεν can sound like δε before many consonants. In writing, δεν is standard. Here you’ll often hear [ðe ðuˈle.vi].

Could I drop “dad” and just say “Isn’t he working today?” in context?

Yes, if the referent is clear: Δεν δουλεύει σήμερα; Greek allows subject drop when understood from context.

If I were talking directly to my dad, how would I say “Dad, aren’t you working today?”

Use the vocative: Μπαμπά, δεν δουλεύεις σήμερα; (note the comma after the vocative).

Why doesn’t σου have an accent? Aren’t enclitics special with accents?

Enclitic possessives (μου/σου/του…) are normally unaccented. Extra accenting happens when they follow a word stressed on the antepenult (e.g., ο άνθρωπός μου). Here μπαμπάς is stressed on the last syllable, so no extra accent is needed: ο μπαμπάς σου.