Η εξόφληση θέλει πολύ κόπο.

Η is the feminine singular definite article, meaning the.

The noun εξόφληση is feminine, so it takes η in the nominative singular:

η εξόφληση = the repayment / the paying off / the settlement

Greek uses the definite article more often than English, especially with abstract or general nouns.

Εξόφληση is a noun meaning repayment, paying off, or settlement of a debt/bill.

It comes from the verb εξοφλώ, which means to pay off, to settle, or to clear a debt/account.

So this is a verbal noun: it names the action of paying something off.

This is a very common Greek usage.

Although θέλω often means to want, Greek also uses θέλει in expressions where English would say it takes, it needs, or it requires.

So:

• Θέλει χρόνο = It takes time
• Θέλει δουλειά = It needs work
• Θέλει προσοχή = It requires attention
• Η εξόφληση θέλει πολύ κόπο = Paying it off requires a lot of effort

This is perfectly natural Greek.

Because θέλει is not being followed by another verb here.

Compare:

• Θέλει να φύγει = He/She wants to leave
  Here θέλει really means wants, so it is followed by να
  • verb.

But in your sentence:

• Η εξόφληση θέλει πολύ κόπο

the verb θέλει takes a noun phrase as its object: πολύ κόπο.
So there is no need for να.

Because κόπο is in the accusative case, not the nominative.

The noun’s dictionary form is ο κόπος = effort, trouble, hard work.

In this sentence, κόπο is the direct object of θέλει, so it must be accusative:

• nominative: ο κόπος
• accusative: τον κόπο

After πολύ, the article is omitted, but the noun still stays in the accusative:

πολύ κόπο = a lot of effort

Because πολύ has to agree with κόπο.

Here κόπο is:

• masculine
• singular
• accusative

So the matching form is πολύ.

Πολλή is feminine singular, so it would not match κόπο.

A useful comparison:

• πολύ κόπο = a lot of effort
• πολλή δουλειά = a lot of work

Here it is functioning as an adjective/quantifier meaning much or a lot of, because it modifies the noun κόπο.

So:

• πολύ κουραστικό = very tiring
  here πολύ is adverbial: very

• πολύ κόπο = a lot of effort
  here πολύ goes with a noun

So in this sentence it definitely means much / a lot of, not very.

A simple breakdown:

• Η εξόφληση = the subject
• θέλει = the verb
• πολύ κόπο = the direct object

So the structure is basically:

[Subject] + [Verb] + [Object]

That is very normal Greek word order.

Yes.

The subject is η εξόφληση, which is singular, so the verb is in the 3rd person singular: θέλει.

Greek verbs agree with the subject in person and number.
They do not change for gender in this form.

So whether the subject is masculine, feminine, or neuter, the 3rd person singular verb form is the same:

• Ο λογαριασμός θέλει...
• Η εξόφληση θέλει...
• Το σχέδιο θέλει...

All of these use θέλει.

It can be changed for emphasis.

The neutral order is:

Η εξόφληση θέλει πολύ κόπο.

But Greek allows alternatives such as:

Πολύ κόπο θέλει η εξόφληση.

That version emphasizes πολύ κόπο more strongly, something like It takes a lot of effort, paying it off.

So the original order is the most neutral and straightforward, but it is not the only possible one.

Because Greek often uses the definite article where English would not, especially with general concepts, abstract nouns, and subjects of a sentence.

So η εξόφληση is natural Greek even if English might simply say paying it off or repayment without the.

This is one of those places where you should not translate word-for-word too rigidly.

A rough pronunciation guide:

ee ek-SO-flee-see THEH-lee po-LEE KO-po

A few notes:

• η is pronounced ee
• ξ sounds like ks
• θ sounds like the th in think
• χ does not appear here, so there is no harsh h/ch sound in this sentence
• the stress falls on:
  • εξόφληση
  • θέλει
  • πολύ
  • κόπο

It is a normal word, but it sounds a bit more formal or financial than a very casual everyday noun.

You will often see it in contexts like:

• bills
• debts
• invoices
• banking
• account settlement

So it is common and useful, especially in practical or financial situations.

Yes, that is possible and understandable.

Χρειάζεται means is needed / is required, so:

Η εξόφληση χρειάζεται πολύ κόπο
would also mean something close to Repayment requires a lot of effort.

But θέλει πολύ κόπο is very idiomatic Greek and sounds quite natural. Greek often prefers θέλει in this kind of expression.

Κόπος means effort, hard work, trouble, or labor.

In this sentence it suggests that paying something off is not easy: it takes real work, strain, or persistence.

So it is stronger than just saying it takes time.
It implies exertion and difficulty, not just duration.