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Questions & Answers about Πάμε μετά τη δουλειά;
Why is there a semicolon at the end instead of a question mark?
In Greek, the question mark is written as ; (it looks like the English semicolon). So Πάμε μετά τη δουλειά; is a question.
What exactly does Πάμε mean here—suggestion or simple question?
Πάμε is the 1st person plural present of πάω/πηγαίνω. In a yes/no question like this, it usually functions as a suggestion or invitation: “Shall we go/Do you want to go after work?” With excited intonation and no question mark, Πάμε! = “Let’s go!”
Why is there no subject pronoun εμείς?
Greek is pro‑drop; the verb ending -με shows “we.” Πάμε already means “we go/shall we go,” so εμείς is optional and used for emphasis: Εμείς πάμε μετά τη δουλειά;
What case is τη δουλειά and why?
It’s accusative singular feminine. The preposition μετά (“after”) takes the accusative in Modern Greek: μετά + τον/την/το.
Why τη and not την before δουλειά?
Both appear in practice. Traditional rule: keep the final -ν of την before vowels and the consonants κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ, γκ, μπ, ντ, τσ, τζ; drop it elsewhere. Since δουλειά starts with δ, many write τη δουλειά. Writing την δουλειά is also common and not wrong.
Can I say μετά από τη δουλειά? Is there a difference?
Yes: μετά τη δουλειά and μετά από τη δουλειά both mean “after work.” The version with από is a bit more explicit/colloquial; without από is slightly leaner. Both are fine.
Could I omit the article and say after work as μετά δουλειά?
No—Greek normally needs the definite article with nouns in this kind of time phrase. Say μετά τη δουλειά. If you need a possessor: μετά τη δουλειά μου/σου/του... (“after my/your/his work”).
How do I pronounce δουλειά and what does its spelling reflect?
Pronunciation: [ðu.liˈa] (roughly “thoo-lee-YA”). Spelling: ου = /u/, ει = /i/, and final -ιά gives the “ya” sound with stress on the last syllable. Standard spelling is δουλειά; you may also see δουλιά informally.
Can I front the time phrase: Μετά τη δουλειά πάμε;?
Yes. Word order is flexible. Πάμε μετά τη δουλειά; and Μετά τη δουλειά πάμε; are both natural; fronting puts light emphasis on the time frame.
What’s the difference between πάμε and πηγαίνουμε here?
For a suggestion/plan, use πάμε. Πηγαίνουμε μετά τη δουλειά; sounds like asking about a habitual action (“Do we go after work [as a rule]?”) and is less natural for making an invitation.
How can I make the suggestion softer or more polite?
Common options:
- Να πάμε μετά τη δουλειά; (Shall we go?/How about going?)
- Θέλεις/Θα ήθελες να πάμε μετά τη δουλειά; (Do you want/Would you like us to go after work?)
- To a group or formally: Θέλετε/Θα θέλατε να πάμε μετά τη δουλειά;
How do I confirm a plan rather than make a suggestion?
Use future or a tag:
- Θα πάμε μετά τη δουλειά; (Are we going after work?)
- Πάμε μετά τη δουλειά, έτσι; (We’re going after work, right?)
How would I answer this question?
- Yes: Ναι, πάμε.
- No: Όχι, δεν πάμε. You can also just say Ναι/Όχι with context.
Is δουλειά the only word for “work”? What about εργασία?
Δουλειά is the everyday, informal word. Εργασία is more formal/technical (employment, assignment, academic work). In this sentence, δουλειά is the natural choice.
Is the accent in μετά and δουλειά important?
Yes. Modern Greek uses one stress mark per word on the stressed syllable. μεΤΑ and δουλειΑ must carry the written accent; omitting it is a spelling error.
Could I add “today” or another time word, and where would it go?
Yes: Πάμε μετά τη δουλειά σήμερα; or Σήμερα, πάμε μετά τη δουλειά; Time adverbs can go before or after; placement changes emphasis, not meaning.
Is there a colloquial version with contraction?
You’ll hear μετά απ’ τη δουλειά in speech (colloquial contraction of από to απ’). The non‑contracted μετά από τη δουλειά and the lean μετά τη δουλειά are both perfectly standard.