Στη δουλειά η αύξηση φέτος ήταν μικρή.

At work the raise this year was small.

Breakdown of Στη δουλειά η αύξηση φέτος ήταν μικρή.

• είμαι: to be
• η δουλειά: the work
• σε: at
• μικρός: small

Questions & Answers about Στη δουλειά η αύξηση φέτος ήταν μικρή.

What exactly does στη mean here? Is it one word or two words combined?

Στη is a contraction of σε + τη(ν).

• σε = in / at / to
• τη(ν) = the (feminine, singular, accusative)

So στη δουλειά literally means at the work / at work. In modern Greek, σε + τη(ν) is almost always written and pronounced together as στη (or στην before some consonants).

Why is it δουλειά and not some other form, like δουλειάς or δουλειά η?

Δουλειά here is in the accusative singular feminine form, because it follows the preposition σε.

• Nominative (subject form): η δουλειά – the work / the job
• Accusative (after prepositions like σε): (τη) δουλειά

So in στη δουλειά:

• στη = σε + τη (puts the noun into accusative)
• δουλειά = accusative singular feminine

Greek does not have a separate “locative” case, so locations like “at work”, “at home” use σε + accusative.

What is the difference between δουλειά and εργασία? Could I say Στην εργασία instead?