Σβήνω τη λάμπα στο γραφείο όταν τελειώνω τη δουλειά.

I turn off the lamp in the office when I finish work.

Breakdown of Σβήνω τη λάμπα στο γραφείο όταν τελειώνω τη δουλειά.

• η δουλειά: the work
• το γραφείο: the office
• σε: in
• όταν: when
• τελειώνω: to finish
• η λάμπα: the lamp
• σβήνω: to shut down

Questions & Answers about Σβήνω τη λάμπα στο γραφείο όταν τελειώνω τη δουλειά.

Why isn’t εγώ (I) written in the sentence?

Greek usually drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the person. Σβήνω already means I turn off / I extinguish, so εγώ is only added for emphasis or contrast (e.g., Εγώ σβήνω… αλλά αυτός όχι = I turn it off… but he doesn’t).

What does σβήνω literally mean, and is it normal for “turn off (a light)”?

Σβήνω literally means I extinguish / I put out, and it’s the everyday verb used for switching off lights, candles, devices, etc.
You’ll also hear κλείνω το φως (I turn off the light), but σβήνω is very common with lights.

Why is σβήνω in the present tense if the meaning is “when I finish” (future)?

Greek often uses the present tense to express habitual/general actions:
Σβήνω… όταν τελειώνω… = I (generally) turn off… when I (generally) finish…
It’s like English “I turn off the lamp when I finish work.”

What’s going on with τη λάμπα—why is there a τη?

τη is the feminine singular accusative form of οριστικό άρθρο (the definite article) = the.
η λάμπα (subject form / nominative) → τη(ν) λάμπα (object form / accusative).
Because λάμπα is the direct object of σβήνω, it appears in the accusative.

Why is it τη λάμπα and not το λάμπα?

Because λάμπα is grammatically feminine in Greek: η λάμπα.
Articles must match the noun’s gender, so you get τη λάμπα as the object.

When do I use τη vs την?

They’re the same word; την is used when the next word begins with a vowel or certain consonant clusters (and often in careful speech).
Here, because λάμπα starts with λ-, you usually say/write τη λάμπα (dropping the final -ν).

What does στο γραφείο mean grammatically?

στο is a contraction of σε + το = in/at the.
So στο γραφείο means in/at the office (or in the office room, depending on context).
γραφείο is neuter, so it takes το in the article: το γραφείο.

Is γραφείο “office” the place or “desk”?

It can mean both depending on context:

• γραφείο = office (room/workplace)
• γραφείο = desk
  With στο γραφείο it often means in the office, but it could also mean at the desk in some contexts.

Why does Greek use όταν + present here (όταν τελειώνω)?

With όταν (when), Greek commonly uses:

• present for habitual/repeated situations: όταν τελειώνω (whenever I finish)
• subjunctive (often with future meaning) for a more specific future event: όταν τελειώσω (when I finish [this time])

What’s the difference between τελειώνω and τελειώνω τη δουλειά?

τελειώνω can stand alone and mean I finish (up) if it’s clear from context.
Adding τη δουλειά makes it explicit: I finish the work / my work / work (for the day).

Does τη δουλειά mean “the job,” “work,” or “homework”?

δουλειά can mean:

• work (in general, or your tasks)
• job (employment)
• sometimes homework in context (more commonly εργασία for homework/assignment)
  In this sentence it most naturally means work / my work.

Is the word order flexible? Could I say it differently?

Yes, Greek word order is fairly flexible. For example:

• Όταν τελειώνω τη δουλειά, σβήνω τη λάμπα στο γραφείο. (same meaning, more focus on the time clause)
• Σβήνω τη λάμπα όταν τελειώνω τη δουλειά στο γραφείο. (possible, but can sound slightly ambiguous about what’s “in the office”)

How do I pronounce σβήνω? The σβ looks odd.

σβ is pronounced like zv (voiced), roughly ZVEE-noh in English-friendly terms.
The stress is on -βή-: σΒΗνω.