Κλείνω την πόρτα τώρα.

I am closing the door now.

Breakdown of Κλείνω την πόρτα τώρα.

• τώρα: now
• κλείνω: to close
• η πόρτα: the door

Questions & Answers about Κλείνω την πόρτα τώρα.

What does each word do here, and why is it την instead of η?

• Κλείνω: present tense, 1st person singular of the verb “to close/shut.”
• την: definite article, accusative feminine singular (marks a definite direct object).
• πόρτα: “door,” feminine noun, here in accusative because it’s the direct object.
• τώρα: adverb meaning “now.”

Greek normally uses the definite article with definite, countable nouns. If you meant “a door,” you’d say μια πόρτα: Κλείνω μια πόρτα τώρα (I’m closing a door now).

Do I have to keep the final -ν in την (την vs τη)?

Recommended rule: keep the -ν of την/τον before:

• a vowel
• the consonants κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ
• the clusters μπ, ντ, γκ, τσ, τζ

Since πόρτα starts with π, write and say την πόρτα. In casual speech you may hear τη πόρτα, and you’ll also hear assimilation: την πόρτα often sounds like [ti ˈborta] or [tim ˈborta] (the π can be voiced).

Do I need to say Εγώ for “I”?

No. Greek is a “pro‑drop” language; the verb ending shows the subject. Κλείνω already means “I close.” Use Εγώ only for emphasis or contrast:

• Εγώ κλείνω την πόρτα τώρα (I’m the one closing the door now).

Is this “I close” or “I’m closing”?

The Greek present (κλείνω) covers both simple and progressive. With τώρα (“now”), the meaning is naturally progressive: “I’m closing the door now.” Without a time word, κλείνω την πόρτα could be habitual (“I (usually) close the door”).

Can I move τώρα around? Does word order change the meaning?

Yes, word order is flexible and mainly affects focus:

• Κλείνω την πόρτα τώρα. neutral.
• Τώρα κλείνω την πόρτα. emphasizes “now.”
• Κλείνω τώρα την πόρτα. slight focus on “now” right after the verb.
• With emphasis on the object, Greek can use clitic doubling: Την πόρτα την κλείνω τώρα. (The door, I’m closing it now.)

How do I make a yes/no question from this?

Use intonation and the Greek question mark (;) with no auxiliary “do”:

• Κλείνω την πόρτα τώρα; (Am I closing the door now?)
• Κλείνεις την πόρτα τώρα; (Are you closing the door now?)

Note: the Greek question mark looks like a semicolon: ;

How do I negate it?

Put δεν before the verb:

• Δεν κλείνω την πόρτα τώρα.

The -ν in δεν follows the same keep/drop rule; since κλείνω begins with κ, keep it: δεν κλείνω. For prohibitions/negative commands use μη(ν): Μην κλείσεις την πόρτα! (Don’t close the door!)

How do I tell someone “Close the door!”?

Use the imperative:

• Singular/informal: Κλείσε την πόρτα (τώρα)!
• Plural/polite: Κλείστε την πόρτα (τώρα)!

With object pronouns, positive imperatives place them after the verb: Κλείσε την τώρα. Negative commands use μη(ν) + subjunctive: Μην την κλείσεις τώρα.

What’s the difference between κλείνω and κλειδώνω? Can κλείνω mean “turn off” or “book”?

• κλείνω = close/shut. Also “turn off” devices/lights and “book/reserve.”
  • Κλείνω το φως/την τηλεόραση. (I turn off the light/TV.) Note: σβήνω is also common for lights.
  • Κλείνω δωμάτιο/εισιτήρια. (I book a room/tickets.)
• κλειδώνω = lock (with a key).
  • Κλειδώνω την πόρτα. (I lock the door.)

How do I replace την πόρτα with a pronoun?

Use the feminine object clitic την before the finite verb:

• Την κλείνω τώρα. (I’m closing it now.)
• Δεν την κλείνω ακόμα. (I’m not closing it yet.)
• With future/subjunctive: Θα την κλείσω τώρα. / Να την κλείσω;
• With positive imperatives, the clitic goes after the verb: Κλείσε την τώρα.

How do I talk about past or future versions?

• Simple past (aorist): Έκλεισα την πόρτα. (I closed the door.)
• Past continuous (imperfect): Έκλεινα την πόρτα (όταν...) (I was closing/used to close.)
• Future simple (one-time): Θα κλείσω την πόρτα. (I’ll close the door.)
• Future continuous (ongoing/habitual): Θα κλείνω την πόρτα.
• Present perfect: Έχω κλείσει την πόρτα. (I have closed the door.)
• Offer/suggestion: Να κλείσω την πόρτα; (Shall I close the door?)

How do I pronounce it? Any quick transliteration?

• IPA (careful speech): [ˈklino tin ˈporta ˈtora]
  • In fast speech, την πόρτα often assimilates to [ti ˈborta] or [tim ˈborta].
• Simple transliteration with stress: Klíno tin pórta tóra.
• Sound tips:
  • ει in κλείνω is /i/ (like “ee”).
  • ο and ω are both /o/ in Modern Greek.
  • Stress marks show the stressed syllable: κλεί‑, πόρ‑, τώ‑.
  • The r in πόρτα is tapped/trilled.

Why is ω used in τώρα? Are ο and ω pronounced differently?

In Modern Greek, ο and ω sound the same (/o/). The difference is historical/orthographic. Words are conventionally spelled with one or the other; τώρα uses ω due to historical reasons. You just memorize the spelling.

Why not κλείω?

κλείω is an archaic/learned form you may see in older or very formal texts. In Modern Standard Greek, the normal verb is κλείνω.

What’s the plural of πόρτα and how would the sentence change?

Plural of πόρτα is πόρτες (feminine). The accusative plural article is τις:

• Κλείνω τις πόρτες τώρα. (I’m closing the doors now.)