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Γυρίζω στο σπίτι μετά τη δουλειά.

Γυρίζω στο σπίτι μετά τη δουλειά.
I return home after work.

Breakdown of Γυρίζω στο σπίτι μετά τη δουλειά.

το σπίτι
the home
η δουλειά
the work
σε
to
μετά
after
γυρίζω
to return
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Questions & Answers about Γυρίζω στο σπίτι μετά τη δουλειά.

Why doesn’t the Greek sentence include the word εγώ for I?

Greek is a pro‑drop language: subject pronouns (like εγώ = I) are usually left out because the verb ending already shows the subject.

  • Γυρίζω ends in ‑ω, which clearly marks 1st person singular (I).
  • So Γυρίζω στο σπίτι… on its own already means I return home….

You can say Εγώ γυρίζω στο σπίτι…, but that normally adds emphasis, like I (as opposed to someone else) go home after work.

What does Γυρίζω mean exactly, and how is it different from other verbs like πηγαίνω or επιστρέφω?

Γυρίζω has two main meanings:

  1. to return / to go back (somewhere)

    • In this sentence: Γυρίζω στο σπίτι… = I go back home / I return home…

  2. to turn / to spin (in other contexts)

    • e.g. Γυρίζω το κλειδί = I turn the key.

Compared with other verbs:

  • πηγαίνω = I go (neutral direction, not necessarily “back”)
    • Πηγαίνω στο σπίτι = I go home (maybe for the first time today).
  • επιστρέφω = I return (more formal / standard, sounds a bit more “bookish” than γυρίζω).

In everyday speech for “go back home”, γυρίζω στο σπίτι is very common and natural.

Is Γυρίζω here “I return” (a habit) or “I am returning” (right now)?

The Greek present tense covers both:

  • Habit / regular action:
    • Γυρίζω στο σπίτι μετά τη δουλειά.
      = I (usually) go back home after work.
  • Action happening now (present progressive):
    • On the phone: Γυρίζω στο σπίτι μετά τη δουλειά.
      = I’m going back home after work.

Context decides whether it’s a general habit or something you’re doing (or planning) now. Greek doesn’t formally separate “I return” vs “I am returning” the way English does.

What exactly is στο in στο σπίτι?

στο is a contraction of:

  • σε (a preposition: in, at, to)
  • το (the neuter singular definite article: the)

So:

  • σε + το = στο

στο σπίτι literally means in/to the house, but depending on the verb and context, it is usually translated as home in English:

  • Γυρίζω στο σπίτι. = I go back home / I return home.
Why do we say στο σπίτι and not just σπίτι? Can we say γυρίζω σπίτι?

Both are possible, with a nuance:

  1. Γυρίζω στο σπίτι.

    • Very common, neutral: I go back home / to the house.
    • Uses στο
      • noun with article.

  2. Γυρίζω σπίτι.

    • Also common, slightly more “adverbial” – σπίτι almost behaves like home as an adverb.
    • Similar to English: I go home (no article) vs I go to the house.

In everyday language, Πάω σπίτι and Γυρίζω σπίτι are very natural. στο σπίτι is simply a bit more explicit grammatically, but both are correct.

What does μετά mean, and how does μετά τη δουλειά work grammatically?

μετά is a preposition meaning after.

  • When μετά is followed by a noun, the noun is in the accusative case.
  • δουλειά is the noun (work), and τη is its accusative article (the).

So:

  • μετά + τη δουλειά = after the work / after work.

The whole phrase μετά τη δουλειά functions like an adverbial phrase of time: after work.

Why is it τη δουλειά and not την δουλειά? What is this τη / την?

τη(ν) is the feminine singular definite article in the accusative case, meaning the.

Forms of the feminine article:

  • Nominative: η δουλειά (the work – subject)
  • Accusative: τη(ν) δουλειά (the work – object, or after a preposition like μετά)

About τη vs την:

  • Spelling with final ν (την) is often optional in Modern Greek.
  • The ν is usually kept before words starting with:
    • vowels, and consonants like κ, π, τ, ξ, ψ, μπ, ντ, γκ, τσ, τζ.
  • Before other consonants (like δ in δουλειά), the ν is commonly dropped in writing.

So here, τη δουλειά is the usual written form, but την δουλειά is also understood and not “wrong” in casual use.

What gender and case is δουλειά, and what does it literally mean?

δουλειά is:

  • Feminine
  • Singular
  • Accusative case in this sentence (because of μετά).

Basic forms:

  • Nominative: η δουλειά – the work / the job
  • Genitive: της δουλειάς – of the work
  • Accusative: τη(ν) δουλειά – the work

Semantically:

  • δουλειά usually means work in general, especially everyday work or job-related work.
  • There is also εργασία, which feels more formal or technical (e.g. academic work, scientific work).
Could I also say μετά από τη δουλειά instead of μετά τη δουλειά?

Yes, you can:

  • μετά τη δουλειά
  • μετά από τη δουλειά

Both mean after work.

Nuances:

  • In everyday speech, when μετά is followed by a noun phrase, από is often dropped, especially if the noun has an article (τη δουλειά, το μάθημα, etc.).
  • μετά από is a bit more explicit and is always needed if what follows is a clause:
    • μετά από το ότι μίλησε (after the fact that he spoke) – more advanced.

For your level, you can treat μετά τη δουλειά and μετά από τη δουλειά as interchangeable in meaning here.

How do you pronounce Γυρίζω στο σπίτι μετά τη δουλειά?

Approximate pronunciation (using English-like sounds):

  • Γυρίζω → [yee‑REE‑zo]

    • Γ before υ here sounds like a soft y
      • voiced fricative: close to y in yes with a slight gh.
    • Stress on the middle syllable: -ρι-.

  • στο → [sto]

    • σ as in see, τ as in stop, ο as in not.

  • σπίτι → [SPEE‑tee]

    • σπ like sp in speak.
    • ί is ee, stressed: SPEE.
    • Final ι again ee.

  • μετά → [me‑TAH]

    • ε as in get.
    • ά stressed, like a in father.

  • τη → [ti]

    • Like tee.

  • δουλειά → [thu‑lee‑YA]

    • δ is like English th in this (voiced).
    • ου = oo in food.
    • ει = ee.
    • λιά gives a lya sound; stress on ‑λιά.

Whole sentence (one flow):
[yee‑REE‑zo sto SPEE‑tee me‑TAH ti thu‑lee‑YA]

Is the word order fixed? Can I say Μετά τη δουλειά γυρίζω στο σπίτι?

Yes, the word order is flexible in Greek.

All of these are grammatically correct:

  • Γυρίζω στο σπίτι μετά τη δουλειά.
  • Μετά τη δουλειά γυρίζω στο σπίτι.
  • Στο σπίτι γυρίζω μετά τη δουλειά. (often more emphatic/focused)

Changing word order can slightly change emphasis, but the basic meaning remains I go back home after work. Greek relies more on inflection (endings) than on word order to show grammatical roles.

If I want to say I will return home after work, how do I change the sentence?

Use θα + present tense form of the verb to make the simple future:

  • Θα γυρίσω στο σπίτι μετά τη δουλειά.

Differences:

  • Γυρίζω στο σπίτι μετά τη δουλειά.
    = I (usually) return home after work / I am returning home after work (now/soon, context needed).
  • Θα γυρίσω στο σπίτι μετά τη δουλειά.
    = I will return home after work (a future event, more clearly future).
What is the grammatical role of each word in Γυρίζω στο σπίτι μετά τη δουλειά?

Breakdown:

  • Γυρίζω – verb, 1st person singular, present tense (I return / I go back).
  • στο – preposition + article: σε + το (in/to the), introducing a prepositional phrase of place.
  • σπίτι – noun, neuter, singular, accusative, object of στο (to the house / home).
  • μετά – preposition, after, introducing a prepositional phrase of time.
  • τη – feminine singular accusative definite article (the).
  • δουλειά – noun, feminine, singular, accusative, object of μετά (work).

So structurally:
[Verb] [Place phrase] [Time phrase]
Γυρίζω [στο σπίτι] [μετά τη δουλειά].