Learn Hardcore Greek: Τη Δευτέρα δεν δουλεύω το απόγευμα.

In this sentence, though, Τη Δευτέρα is not the subject; it’s a time expression meaning “on Monday.” Time expressions in Greek are very often in the accusative case without a preposition.

Nominative (subject): η Δευτέρα
Accusative (time expression): τη Δευτέρα → “on Monday”

So τη is the feminine accusative form of the definite article, which fits here because "Monday" answers “When?” rather than acting as the subject.

Why is there no preposition like “on” before Τη Δευτέρα? In English we say “on Monday.”

Greek usually does not use a preposition for days of the week used as time expressions. Instead, it uses the accusative form with the article:

Τη Δευτέρα → literally “the Monday” but understood as “on Monday”
Την Τρίτη → “on Tuesday”
Το Σάββατο → “on Saturday”

So where English says “on Monday,” Greek simply says τη Δευτέρα without a preposition. The case (accusative) and the context show that it is a time expression.

Could it also be written την Δευτέρα instead of τη Δευτέρα? What’s the difference?

Yes, you may see both τη Δευτέρα and την Δευτέρα in writing.

The full form of the article is την, and that is always correct grammatically.
In everyday modern Greek, the final -ν of την/τον is often dropped when the next word begins with certain consonants, including Δ (as in Δευτέρα). So τη Δευτέρα is the normal spoken form and very common in writing too.

You can think of it this way:

την Δευτέρα – slightly more careful/spelled-out form
τη Δευτέρα – normal colloquial spelling that reflects actual pronunciation

Both will be understood as the same.

Why is Δευτέρα capitalized? Are all days of the week capitalized in Greek?

Yes. In standard modern Greek spelling, the days of the week are capitalized:

Δευτέρα (Monday)
Τρίτη, Τετάρτη, Πέμπτη, Παρασκευή, Σάββατο, Κυριακή

So Τη Δευτέρα correctly has a capital Δ.

In English we say “Monday afternoon.” Why is it Τη Δευτέρα δεν δουλεύω το απόγευμα and not something closer to “Τη Δευτέρα απόγευμα δεν δουλεύω”?

Greek can say Τη Δευτέρα απόγευμα δεν δουλεύω, and you will hear that. However, the most neutral and natural version is:

Τη Δευτέρα δεν δουλεύω το απόγευμα.

Two main points:

Greek usually keeps articles in expressions like “the afternoon”:
- το απόγευμα = (the) afternoon
The default word order is:
- Time (day) → Verb (with negative) → Further time detail
- Τη Δευτέρα (on Monday) δεν δουλεύω (I don’t work) το απόγευμα (in the afternoon).

Changing the order is possible and affects emphasis more than meaning, but the sentence you were given is the most standard.

Why is the subject “I” not written? Shouldn’t it be Εγώ δεν δουλεύω?

Greek is a “pro-drop” language: subject pronouns (I, you, he, etc.) are usually omitted because the verb ending already shows the person:

δουλεύω = I work
δουλεύεις = you work
δουλεύει = he/she/it works

So δεν δουλεύω already means “I don’t work.”
You only use εγώ (“I”) when you want to emphasize the subject, for example:

Εγώ δεν δουλεύω το απόγευμα, αλλά αυτός δουλεύει.
“I don’t work in the afternoon, but he does.”

Why is δεν placed before δουλεύω and not after it?

In Greek, the standard position of the negative particle δεν is directly before the verb:

δεν δουλεύω – I don’t work
δεν θέλω – I don’t want
δεν καταλαβαίνω – I don’t understand

So Τη Δευτέρα δεν δουλεύω is the correct pattern.
Putting δεν after the verb (δουλεύω δεν) is incorrect in modern Greek.

Does δεν δουλεύω mean “I don’t work (ever)” or “I’m not working (then)”? How specific is it?

By itself, δεν δουλεύω can mean either “I don’t work” (generally) or “I’m not working” (right now/then).

In your full sentence, the time expression specifies it:

Τη Δευτέρα δεν δουλεύω το απόγευμα.
“On Monday I don’t work in the afternoon” / “I’m not working Monday afternoon.”

So here it describes your schedule for that time, not your entire life. Context decides whether it is a regular pattern or a one-time situation.

What is the difference between δουλεύω and εργάζομαι for “work”? Why does this sentence use δουλεύω?

Both verbs can mean “to work,” but they differ in register and usage:

δουλεύω is the everyday, colloquial verb. You use it all the time in normal speech:
- Δουλεύω αύριο. – I work tomorrow.
εργάζομαι is more formal and bureaucratic, used in official language, forms, job descriptions, etc.

In a simple sentence about your schedule, δουλεύω is the natural, conversational choice:

Τη Δευτέρα δεν δουλεύω το απόγευμα.
Sounds like normal spoken Greek.

Why is it το απόγευμα with an article? In English we just say “in the afternoon,” often without “the.”

Greek generally likes using the definite article more than English, especially with parts of the day:

το πρωί – (in the) morning
το μεσημέρι – (at) noon
το απόγευμα – (in the) afternoon
το βράδυ – (in the) evening/night

So το απόγευμα is the normal way to say “in the afternoon.”
Dropping the article (απόγευμα) is possible in some contexts, especially in lists or casual speech, but το απόγευμα is the standard, neutral form.

Can I say Δεν δουλεύω τη Δευτέρα το απόγευμα instead? Does the word order change the meaning?

Yes, you can say:

Δεν δουλεύω τη Δευτέρα το απόγευμα.

The basic meaning is the same. Greek word order is relatively flexible, and speakers often move elements for emphasis.

Subtle differences:

Τη Δευτέρα δεν δουλεύω το απόγευμα.
Slightly more emphasis on “On Monday…” (setting the time frame first).
Δεν δουλεύω τη Δευτέρα το απόγευμα.
Slightly more focus on the fact “I don’t work…”, then specifying when.

In practice, both sound natural and are commonly used.

How would you say this if you wanted to talk about every Monday, not just one specific Monday?

For a habitual meaning (“every Monday”), Greek often uses κάθε (every):

Κάθε Δευτέρα δεν δουλεύω το απόγευμα.
“Every Monday I don’t work in the afternoon.”

You can also use just Δευτέρα or Τη Δευτέρα in the present tense to imply a regular schedule, and context usually makes it clear:

Τη Δευτέρα δεν δουλεύω το απόγευμα.
In many contexts = “On Mondays I don’t work in the afternoon (as a rule).”

When you absolutely want to make it explicit, κάθε Δευτέρα is safest.

How do you pronounce the whole sentence, and can you give a rough Latin transcription?

Pronunciation (stressed syllables in caps):

Τη Δευτέρα δεν δουλεύω το απόγευμα.
ti def-TE-ra then thu-LE-vo to a-PO-yev-ma

More precise Latin transliteration:

Ti Deftéra den dulévo to apóyevma.

Key sounds for English speakers:

δ (as in δεν, Δευτέρα) is like the English “th” in “this.”
ευ (in Δευτέρα) sounds like ev here.
γ before ε or ι (as in απόγευμα) is a soft sound, somewhat like a voiced “y”/“gh” in the throat.