…
Breakdown of Σήμερα δεν λειτουργώ καλά, γιατί είμαι κουρασμένος.
είμαι
to be
καλά
well
δεν
not
σήμερα
today
γιατί
because
κουρασμένος
tired
λειτουργώ
to work
Questions & Answers about Σήμερα δεν λειτουργώ καλά, γιατί είμαι κουρασμένος.
Why is δεν placed before λειτουργώ?
In Greek, δεν (not) normally comes right before the verb it negates. So δεν λειτουργώ = I’m not functioning / I’m not operating. You’ll see the same pattern in many sentences: δεν ξέρω (I don’t know), δεν θέλω (I don’t want), etc.
What does λειτουργώ mean here—does it literally mean “I function”?
Yes, literally λειτουργώ means I function / I operate / I work. In this sentence it’s used idiomatically to mean something like I’m not working well today (physically or mentally), similar to English I’m not functioning well today.
Why is it Σήμερα at the beginning? Could it go elsewhere?
Σήμερα means today, and Greek word order is flexible. Putting it first emphasizes the time: Today I’m not functioning well. You could also say:
- Δεν λειτουργώ καλά σήμερα, γιατί είμαι κουρασμένος. Both are natural; the first just foregrounds today.
What is καλά exactly—an adjective or an adverb?
Καλά is an adverb meaning well. It modifies the verb λειτουργώ (I function). The adjective form would be καλός / καλή / καλό (good), used to describe nouns, not the verb.
Why is γιατί used here? Does it mean “because” or “why”?
Γιατί can mean both why and because, depending on context:
- As a question word: Γιατί; = Why?
- As a conjunction: ..., γιατί ... = ..., because ... Here it clearly means because.
Is there a difference between γιατί and επειδή for “because”?
Both can mean because. Επειδή often sounds a bit more “neutral/explicit” and is common in careful speech and writing, while γιατί is extremely common in everyday speech. In this sentence, either works:
- ..., γιατί είμαι κουρασμένος.
- ..., επειδή είμαι κουρασμένος. Γιατί can sometimes feel more conversational.
Why is είμαι included? Can Greek drop it like Spanish sometimes does?
Greek usually does not drop the verb είμαι (I am) in normal sentences. You need it here: γιατί είμαι κουρασμένος = because I am tired. (In some informal contexts people may omit parts in very short phrases, but as a standard sentence you keep είμαι.)
What does κουρασμένος agree with, and why does it end in -ος?
Κουρασμένος is an adjective meaning tired and it agrees with the subject (I, implied by είμαι). The form κουρασμένος is masculine singular. So a male speaker would say κουρασμένος.
What would change if the speaker is female?
A female speaker would use the feminine form:
- Σήμερα δεν λειτουργώ καλά, γιατί είμαι κουρασμένη. Κουρασμένη = feminine singular tired.
Could I also say είμαι κουρασμένο?
Only if the speaker were referring to themselves with a neuter adjective form, which is not normal for an adult person in standard Greek. Κουρασμένο is neuter singular and typically describes neuter nouns (or sometimes a child/thing). For yourself, you’d normally use κουρασμένος (male) or κουρασμένη (female).
Is the subject I actually present anywhere in the Greek sentence?
It’s implied in the verb endings:
- λειτουργώ = I function (1st person singular ending)
- είμαι = I am Greek often omits subject pronouns because the verb form already shows the person. You can add εγώ (I) for emphasis: Σήμερα εγώ δεν λειτουργώ καλά... (but that’s only if you want to stress “me”).
Why is there a comma before γιατί?
In Greek, it’s common to use a comma before γιατί when it introduces a reason clause: ..., γιατί .... Punctuation can vary by style, but this comma is very typical and helps readability.
Does δεν λειτουργώ καλά sound like a machine, or is it okay for a person?
It’s okay for a person and fairly common as a metaphor. It can suggest your brain/body isn’t performing well (sleepy, tired, stressed, unfocused). If you want an even more explicitly “human” phrasing, you might hear:
- Δεν είμαι στα καλύτερά μου σήμερα. (I’m not at my best today.) But the given sentence is natural.
Could λειτουργώ be replaced with another verb for “I’m not doing well”?
Yes, depending on what you mean:
- Δεν είμαι καλά σήμερα = I’m not well today (health/mood)
- Δεν πάω καλά σήμερα = I’m not doing well today (performance/mood)
- Δεν νιώθω καλά σήμερα = I don’t feel well today Δεν λειτουργώ καλά specifically suggests “not functioning well” (often mental/energy/performance).
How is this sentence pronounced (roughly)?
A rough guide (stress in CAPITALS):
- SÍ-me-ra den lee-tour-GÓ ka-LÁ, ya-TÍ Í-me kou-ra-SMÉ-nos. Notes:
- γ in γιατί is a voiced sound (like a soft “y”/“gh” depending on accent), not an English hard g.
- Stress matters a lot in Greek: Σήμερα, λειτουργώ, καλά, γιατί, είμαι, κουρασμένος each have a stressed syllable.
Why does λειτουργώ end in -ώ?
Λειτουργώ is a present-tense, 1st person singular form. Many Greek verbs have a 1st person singular ending written -ω or -ώ. The accent mark in -ώ shows where the stress falls: lei-tour-GÓ.
More from this lesson
η αργίαΤην αργία δεν δουλεύω, οπότε θα πάμε σινεμά το βράδυ.Σήμερα είναι αργία, οπότε μένω σπίτι και τακτοποιώ το υπνοδωμάτιο.την επόμενη αργίαΤην επόμενη αργία λέω να μείνω σπίτι και να κάνω λίγη επανάληψη στα ελληνικά.βγαίνω βόλταΌποτε τελειώνω νωρίς τη δουλειά, βγαίνω βόλτα στον πεζόδρομο.αρκεί να
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Greek grammar?”
Greek grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning GreekMaster Greek — from Σήμερα δεν λειτουργώ καλά, γιατί είμαι κουρασμένος to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions