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”?
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?
Why not κλείω?
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.)
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