Σήμερα δουλεύω λιγότερο.

Today I work less.

Breakdown of Σήμερα δουλεύω λιγότερο.

• σήμερα: today
• δουλεύω: to work
• λιγότερο: less

Questions & Answers about Σήμερα δουλεύω λιγότερο.

What does each word do grammatically?

• Σήμερα: adverb, means today.
• δουλεύω: verb, 1st person singular, present tense, means I work / I’m working.
• λιγότερο: adverb (comparative of λίγο), means less.

How do I pronounce the sentence and where is the stress?

• Σήμερα: [ˈsimeɾa] — stress on the first syllable (Sí-me-ra).
• δουλεύω: [ðuˈlevo] — δ = [ð] as in this, ου = [u], ευ = [ev], stress on -LE- (dou-LÉ-vo).
• λιγότερο: [liˈɣotero] — γ before o = [ɣ] (voiced velar fricative), stress on -GÓ- (li-GÓ-te-ro).

Full line: [ˈsimeɾa ðuˈlevo liˈɣotero]. Simple transliteration: Símera doulévo ligótero.

Why is there no explicit I in Greek?

Greek verbs encode person and number. δουλεύω already means I work. You add εγώ only for emphasis or contrast:

• Εγώ σήμερα δουλεύω λιγότερο = I (as opposed to others) am working less today.

Can I change the word order?

Yes, within limits.

• Neutral/common: Σήμερα δουλεύω λιγότερο.
• Also fine: Δουλεύω λιγότερο σήμερα.
• With strong focus on the adverb: Λιγότερο δουλεύω σήμερα (marked/poetic). Avoid splitting in ways that sound unnatural in everyday speech, like Σήμερα λιγότερο δουλεύω.

Do I need to say than … explicitly?

Not necessarily; context often supplies it (e.g., “than usual”). If you want to be explicit:

• Σήμερα δουλεύω λιγότερο από χθες/χτες. = less than yesterday.
• Σήμερα δουλεύω λιγότερο απ’ ό,τι συνήθως. = less than I usually do.
• … λιγότερο από το συνηθισμένο. = less than usual.

How do I negate it?

Place δεν before the verb:

• Σήμερα δεν δουλεύω λιγότερο. = I’m not working less today.
• If you mean “I’m not working at all today”: Σήμερα δεν δουλεύω (καθόλου).
• To express the opposite (more): Σήμερα δουλεύω περισσότερο.

What’s the difference between λιγότερο and forms like λιγότερες/λιγότερη/λιγότερος?

• λιγότερο here is an adverb (invariable) modifying the verb: work less.
• As an adjective, it agrees with the noun:
  • λιγότερες ώρες = fewer hours.
  • λιγότερη δουλειά = less work.
  • λιγότερος χρόνος = less time.

Can I say πιο λίγο instead of λιγότερο?

Yes. Σήμερα δουλεύω πιο λίγο is common and natural. λιγότερο is the single-word comparative; πιο λίγο is periphrastic. In everyday speech they’re interchangeable here.

Does Greek distinguish between I work and I’m working?

Not in the present: δουλεύω covers both. Context does the work.

• Add τώρα for ongoing: Τώρα δουλεύω λιγότερο.
• Other tenses:
  • Past (aorist, single whole event): Χθες δούλεψα λιγότερο.
  • Past continuous: Χθες δούλευα λιγότερο.
  • Future simple: Αύριο θα δουλέψω λιγότερο.
  • Future continuous/habitual: Από του χρόνου θα δουλεύω λιγότερο.

How do I conjugate δουλεύω in the present?

• εγώ δουλεύω
• εσύ δουλεύεις
• αυτός/αυτή/αυτό δουλεύει
• εμείς δουλεύουμε
• εσείς δουλεύετε
• αυτοί/αυτές/αυτά δουλεύουν(ε)

The final -(ε) is optional in speech and often omitted in writing.

Why is the verb ending -ω and is it pronounced differently from -ο?

The -ω ending marks 1st person singular present active in many verbs. Modern Greek pronounces ο and ω the same [o]; the different letters are historical/spelling conventions.

Any usage tips for δουλεύω?

• Job/place: δουλεύω σε νοσοκομείο / για μια εταιρεία = I work in a hospital / for a company.
• Project: δουλεύω πάνω σε ένα πρότζεκτ = I’m working on a project.
• Machines functioning: Ο εκτυπωτής δουλεύει; = Is the printer working?
• Not “work out/exercise”: use γυμνάζομαι, not δουλεύω.

Could I say the same idea by mentioning what’s less?

Yes, with a noun:

• Σήμερα δουλεύω λιγότερες ώρες. = I’m working fewer hours today.
• Σήμερα έχω λιγότερη δουλειά. = I have less work today.

Is there an older or formal way to say today?

Yes, older/formal σήμερον appears in set phrases or very formal/archaising contexts. In modern everyday Greek use σήμερα.