Learn Hardcore Greek: Χωρίς κλειδί δεν ανοίγει η πόρτα.

Greek word order is flexible and often verb–subject (V–S) or verb–object–subject. Fronting Χωρίς κλειδί sets the condition as the topic, and keeping η πόρτα to the end focuses it as the subject being affected. A perfectly neutral alternative is Η πόρτα δεν ανοίγει χωρίς κλειδί.

Why is there no article before κλειδί?

After χωρίς, Greek commonly omits the article when the meaning is indefinite/generic: χωρίς κλειδί = “without a key.” If you mean a specific, known key, you’d use the definite article: χωρίς το κλειδί = “without the key.”

Can I say χωρίς το κλειδί instead, and what changes?

Yes, χωρίς το κλειδί refers to a particular key already known in context (e.g., the key to this door). Χωρίς κλειδί is generic: any key at all.

What cases are used here, and why?

κλειδί is accusative because the preposition χωρίς governs the accusative. (Neuter singular nominative and accusative look the same: το κλειδί.)
η πόρτα is nominative because it’s the subject of the verb.
If πόρτα were a direct object, it would be accusative: την πόρτα.

Why not say δεν ανοίγει την πόρτα?

Δεν ανοίγει την πόρτα means “He/She/It doesn’t open the door,” with an implied subject (Greek drops subject pronouns). In your sentence the door is the subject: η πόρτα δεν ανοίγει = “the door doesn’t open.” Different structure, different meaning.

How flexible is the word order here?

All of these are grammatical, with slight differences in emphasis:

Η πόρτα δεν ανοίγει χωρίς κλειδί. (neutral)
Δεν ανοίγει η πόρτα χωρίς κλειδί. (focuses the subject after the verb)
Χωρίς κλειδί, η πόρτα δεν ανοίγει. (fronted condition for emphasis)

What is the exact form of ανοίγει?

It’s the 3rd-person singular, present indicative, active of ανοίγω (“to open”). So ανοίγει = “he/she/it opens” or “is opening.” With δεν, it becomes negative: “doesn’t open.”

Does δεν ανοίγει mean “can’t open” or just “doesn’t open”?

Literally “doesn’t open,” but in context it often implies inability or that it won’t open. To state ability explicitly, use:

Δεν μπορεί να ανοίξει = “It can’t open / cannot be opened.” For a passive flavor: Δεν ανοίγεται = “It isn’t opened / can’t be opened” (see below on usage).

Why is δεν used here and not μην?

Δεν negates verbs in the indicative (statements/facts), which is the case here. Μην is used with subjunctive clauses (with να), imperatives (prohibitions), and certain non-indicative contexts. Example: Μην ανοίξεις! = “Don’t open!”

How do I pronounce the words?

Χωρίς [xoˈris] — kh/o-REEs (χ is like the ch in Scottish loch; stress on -ρίς)
κλειδί [kliˈði] — klee-DHEE (δ = th in this)
δεν [ðen] — THEN
ανοίγει [aˈniʝi] — a-NEE-yi (γ before i/e sounds like a soft y)
η πόρτα [i ˈporta] — ee PÓR-ta (stress on ΠΟ-)

What are the genders and articles for πόρτα and κλειδί?

πόρτα is feminine: η πόρτα (nom.), την πόρτα (acc.).
κλειδί is neuter: το κλειδί (nom./acc.), plural τα κλειδιά.

Is there a synonym for χωρίς?

Yes:

δίχως (everyday synonym): Δίχως κλειδί δεν ανοίγει η πόρτα.
άνευ (formal/literary): Άνευ κλειδιού δεν ανοίγει η πόρτα. (uses a genitive form and sounds formal/archaic)

Can I use the passive form ανοίγεται?

You can, but it’s less common here. Nuances:

Η πόρτα δεν ανοίγει (most natural for “the door won’t/doesn’t open,” especially when it seems stuck or locked).
Η πόρτα δεν ανοίγεται leans to “is not (being) opened” or “is not openable,” more formal or when discussing procedure/habit: Η πόρτα δεν ανοίγεται χωρίς άδεια (“The door is not opened without permission”).
For “not easily opened”: Η πόρτα δεν ανοίγει εύκολα is idiomatic.

Is the final -ν in δεν always there?

In careful writing, yes: keep δεν. In rapid speech, many speakers drop the -ν before a consonant (δε), but before a vowel it’s kept. Here, ανοίγει starts with a vowel, so δεν is standard.

How would I say “without any key” for emphasis?

Χωρίς κλειδί already means “without a key/any key” in context.
To emphasize “not a single key,” you can say χωρίς κανένα κλειδί (stronger).
Plural is possible if you mean multiple keys: χωρίς κλειδιά (“without keys”).

How do I say the opposite idea?

Use με (“with”): Με κλειδί ανοίγει η πόρτα. = “With a key, the door opens.”