Learn Hardcore Greek: Σήμερα δουλεύω λιγότερο.

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.