Η δουλειά σήμερα είναι σκληρή αλλά αξίζει.

to be

Breakdown of Η δουλειά σήμερα είναι σκληρή αλλά αξίζει.

• η δουλειά: the work
• σήμερα: today
• αλλά: but

Questions & Answers about Η δουλειά σήμερα είναι σκληρή αλλά αξίζει.

What exactly does δουλειά mean here? Is it “job” or “work”?

Δουλειά is a very common everyday word and can mean both:

• work in general: “I have a lot of work.” → Έχω πολλή δουλειά.
• a job / occupation: “He found a job.” → Βρήκε δουλειά.

In this sentence, Η δουλειά σήμερα είναι σκληρή αλλά αξίζει, it is best understood as:

• The work today is hard but it’s worth it.

It could also be understood as “My/our job today is hard…”, depending on context, but English usually just says work here.

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Why is it Η δουλειά and not Ο δουλειά?

Greek nouns have grammatical gender. Δουλειά is a feminine noun, so it takes the feminine definite article:

• η δουλειά = the work / the job
• της δουλειάς = of the work (genitive)
• τη(ν) δουλειά = the work (object)

So:

• Η δουλειά σήμερα… = The work today…

You have to memorize the gender of each noun, but many nouns ending in -ιά (e.g. δουλειά, δουλειά, φωτιά, καρδιά) are feminine.

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Can I leave out the article and just say Δουλειά σήμερα είναι σκληρή…?