Πότε αρχίζεις τη δουλειά και πότε τελειώνεις;

When do you start work and when do you finish?

Breakdown of Πότε αρχίζεις τη δουλειά και πότε τελειώνεις;

• και: and
• η δουλειά: the work
• πότε: when
• αρχίζω: to start
• τελειώνω: to finish

Questions & Answers about Πότε αρχίζεις τη δουλειά και πότε τελειώνεις;

Why does the sentence end with a semicolon? Is that a question mark in Greek?

Yes. In Greek, the symbol ; is the question mark. So ; = “?” and · (the raised dot) is the semicolon/colon-like mark.

Why is it τη δουλειά and not την δουλειά?

The feminine accusative article is τη(ν). The final -ν is usually dropped before most consonants and kept before vowels and certain consonants (κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ and the clusters μπ, ντ, γκ, τσ, τζ). Since δουλειά starts with δ, the default spelling is τη δουλειά. Writing την δουλειά is seen in very formal styles or by people who always keep the -ν, but the common, standard form here is τη.

Why is τη δουλειά in the accusative case?

Because it’s the direct object of a transitive verb. Both αρχίζω (to start) and τελειώνω (to finish) can take a direct object: αρχίζω τη δουλειά = “I start (the) work,” τελειώνω τη δουλειά = “I finish (the) work.” The feminine accusative singular article is τη(ν), and δουλειά is a feminine noun.

Do I need the article? Can I say Πότε αρχίζεις δουλειά;?

Both are fine:

• Πότε αρχίζεις τη δουλειά; slightly emphasizes “the job/your shift.”
• Πότε αρχίζεις δουλειά; is very idiomatic for “When do you start working?” In everyday speech, omitting the article here is extremely common.

Why is there no subject pronoun? Where is “you”?

Greek is a “pro‑drop” language. The verb ending already shows the subject:

• αρχίζεις / τελειώνεις = “you (singular) start/finish.” You can add εσύ for emphasis: Πότε εσύ αρχίζεις…

Can I change the word order, e.g., Πότε τη δουλειά αρχίζεις?

The neutral order is Πότε αρχίζεις τη δουλειά; Fronting τη δουλειά (Πότε τη δουλειά αρχίζεις;) is possible but sounds marked/emphatic. Another natural variant is to move the shared object to the end: Πότε αρχίζεις και πότε τελειώνεις τη δουλειά;

Why are both verbs in the present? Would future be more correct?

The Greek present covers habitual schedules and timetables, just like English “What time do you start?” For a one‑off future event you’d use future: Πότε θα αρχίσεις…; and Πότε θα τελειώσεις…;

How do I pronounce the sentence?

Rough guide with stressed syllables in caps:

• Πότε: PO-te
• αρχίζεις: ar-HI-zees (χ like German “Bach”; ζ like “z”)
• τη δουλειά: ti dhu-lyA (δ like “th” in “this”; δουλειά has a soft “lyá”)
• και: ke
• πότε: PO-te
• τελειώνεις: te-lyO-nis (the “λει” gives a soft “ly”; stress on -yó-) Full line: PO-te ar-HI-zees ti dhu-lyA ke PO-te te-lyO-nis?

What’s the difference between πότε and τι ώρα?

• Πότε = “when” in general (day, date, time).
• Τι ώρα = “what time (o’clock).” If you want a clock time, ask: Τι ώρα αρχίζεις… και τι ώρα τελειώνεις;

Do I have to repeat πότε? Could I say Πότε αρχίζεις και τελειώνεις τη δουλειά;?

You can say either:

• Πότε αρχίζεις τη δουλειά και πότε τελειώνεις; (very natural)
• Πότε αρχίζεις και πότε τελειώνεις τη δουλειά; (also very natural)
• Πότε αρχίζεις και τελειώνεις τη δουλειά; (acceptable, a bit more compact)

Why not just ask Πότε δουλεύεις;?

Πότε δουλεύεις; means “When do you work?” (which days/times in general). The original sentence specifically asks for start and finish times. Different question, more precise answer.

Are there more colloquial verbs for “start/finish work”?

Yes, very common in speech:

• Πιάνω δουλειά = “start work” (literally “grab work”)
• Σχολάω = “get off work/finish for the day” Colloquial question: Πότε πιάνεις δουλειά και πότε σχολάς;

What’s the difference between δουλειά and εργασία?

• δουλειά: everyday, informal “work/job,” also “task(s)” (plural δουλειές).
• εργασία: more formal “work/employment/assignment” (e.g., academic or legal contexts).

Common spelling trap: δουλειά vs δουλεία?

Be careful:

• δουλειά = work/job.
• δουλεία = slavery/servitude. They’re pronounced similarly in modern Greek but mean very different things.

Are αρχίζεις and τελειώνεις second person singular? What are the basic present forms?

Yes. Singular present:

• εγώ αρχίζω / τελειώνω (I)
• εσύ αρχίζεις / τελειώνεις (you sg.)
• αυτός/αυτή/αυτό αρχίζει / τελειώνει (he/she/it) Plural/polite:
• εσείς αρχίζετε / τελειώνετε

Is it okay that the second clause has no object? Should it be πότε τελειώνεις τη δουλειά;?

It’s fine to omit it; it’s understood from context. You can include it for symmetry: Πότε αρχίζεις τη δουλειά και πότε τελειώνεις τη δουλειά; but repeating it isn’t necessary.

Why not στη δουλειά here?

στη δουλειά means “at/to work” (location/destination). You’d say Πάω στη δουλειά = “I go to work.” With αρχίζω/τελειώνω, you’re taking δουλειά as an activity/object: αρχίζω (τη) δουλειά, τελειώνω (τη) δουλειά.