Learn Hardcore Greek: Δεν έχει σημασία ποια τηλεόραση έχουμε, θέλω μόνο να δουλεύει. - It doesn’t matter which TV we have, I just want it to work.

Literally it’s “it doesn’t have importance,” and idiomatically it means “it doesn’t matter.” It’s a fixed, very common phrase used to downplay relevance: “—Ποιο μοντέλο; —Δεν έχει σημασία.”

Why is there no question mark after "ποια τηλεόραση έχουμε"?

Because it’s an embedded (indirect) question, not a direct one. Direct: “Ποια τηλεόραση έχουμε;” Indirect: “Δεν έχει σημασία ποια τηλεόραση έχουμε,” with normal statement punctuation.

Why use "ποια" and not "τι"?

Both can work, but they differ slightly:

ποια = “which (one),” suggesting a choice from known options.
τι (τηλεόραση) = “what (kind of) TV,” more open-ended. Here, ποια fits the idea “which specific TV we have,” but many speakers also say “Δεν έχει σημασία τι τηλεόραση έχουμε” with essentially the same meaning.

How do you pronounce "ποια"? Is it the same as "πια"?

Modern Greek pronounces ποια roughly “pya,” not “po-ee-a.” It sounds the same as πια (“anymore/no longer” in negatives, e.g., “Δεν με νοιάζει πια”). Spelling distinguishes meaning: ποια = which; πια = anymore.

Why is there no article before "τηλεόραση"?

Interrogative determiners like ποια don’t take the definite article. You’re asking “which TV,” not referring to a specific, previously known one with “the.”

What case and gender are "ποια τηλεόραση," and how does agreement work?

Τηλεόραση is feminine. Ποια is the feminine singular form of “which,” agreeing with it. The phrase is the direct object of έχουμε, so it’s in the accusative. In feminine singular, nominative and accusative look the same: “η/την τηλεόραση,” “ποια.”

Can I put the verb first (Έχουμε ποια τηλεόραση)?

That word order is unnatural here. In indirect questions, the interrogative phrase usually fronts: ποια τηλεόραση έχουμε is the normal order.

What does "να" do in "θέλω μόνο να δουλεύει"?

Να marks the subjunctive. After verbs of desire like θέλω, Greek uses να + verb: “I want [it] to work” = θέλω να δουλεύει.

Why "να δουλεύει" (present) and not "να δουλέψει" (aorist)?

να δουλεύει (present subjunctive): focuses on a state or ongoing/habitual functioning — “to be working/in working order.”
να δουλέψει (aorist subjunctive): a single event or onset — “to (finally) work (at least once/start working).” Your sentence wants the state, so να δουλεύει is right.

Is "να δουλεύει" indicative or subjunctive?

Subjunctive. Without να, δουλεύει is indicative (“it works/it is working”). With να, it’s the mood used for wishes, purpose, etc.

If I want to negate the second part (“I want it not to work”), what changes?

Negate the subordinate clause with μην: Θέλω να μην δουλεύει (“I want it not to work”). If you negate the main verb — Δεν θέλω να δουλεύει — you mean “I don’t want it to work.”

What exactly does "μόνο" modify here? Is there any ambiguity?

Here μόνο scopes over the wanting: “I only want [it to work]” (i.e., that’s the only requirement). It’s not usually read as “I want it to only work (and do nothing else).” For crystal clarity, use: Το μόνο που θέλω είναι να δουλεύει.

Where is the subject of "δουλεύει"?

It’s understood from context: the TV. Greek drops pronouns when obvious. You can add it for emphasis/clarity: θέλω μόνο να δουλεύει η τηλεόραση.

Is the comma after the first clause necessary?

Yes, it’s standard to separate the fronted clause Δεν έχει σημασία ποια τηλεόραση έχουμε from the main clause θέλω μόνο να δουλεύει with a comma.

Are there natural paraphrases that mean the same thing?

Yes:

Δεν με νοιάζει ποια τηλεόραση έχουμε, αρκεί να δουλεύει. (as long as)
Όποια τηλεόραση κι αν έχουμε, θέλω μόνο να δουλεύει. (whichever)
Το μόνο που θέλω είναι να δουλεύει. (clearest focus on “only”)

Can I use "λειτουργεί" instead of "δουλεύει"?

Yes. Λειτουργεί is slightly more technical/formal; δουλεύει is very common and natural for devices. Both mean “it works/operates.”

Why "Δεν" and not "Μην" at the start?

Δεν is the normal negator for statements/indicative clauses (here, έχει). Μην is used to negate subjunctives/imperatives and some set phrases: e.g., να μην δουλεύει, μην έρθεις.

Is "δεν" ever pronounced “δε”?

In casual speech the final -ν often drops before many consonants, so you may hear δε. It’s typically kept before vowels and certain consonants (like κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ and clusters such as μπ, ντ, γκ, τσ, τζ). In writing, keeping δεν everywhere is fine.