Το οδόμετρο λειτουργεί.

Το is the definite article the.

In this sentence, το is used because οδόμετρο is a neuter singular noun. In Greek, the article changes depending on gender, number, and case.

So:

• το = the for neuter singular
• οδόμετρο = a neuter singular noun

Together, το οδόμετρο means the odometer.

Because οδόμετρο is a neuter noun.

Greek nouns have grammatical gender:

• ο = masculine
• η = feminine
• το = neuter

Since οδόμετρο is neuter, it takes το in the nominative singular:

• το οδόμετρο = the odometer

This gender is grammatical; it does not mean the object is physically “neutral” in any special sense.

It is in the nominative case, because it is the subject of the sentence.

The sentence means that the odometer is the thing doing the action of functioning/working.

So:

• το οδόμετρο = nominative singular
• λειτουργεί = the verb describing what it does

Λειτουργεί means works, functions, or is operating.

It is the 3rd person singular present tense form of λειτουργώ.

So it can mean things like:

• works
• is working
• functions
• is functioning
• operates

Which English translation sounds best depends on context, but they all match the Greek present tense fairly well.

It can mean either, depending on context.

Greek present tense often covers both:

• simple present: it works
• present progressive: it is working

So Το οδόμετρο λειτουργεί could mean:

• The odometer works
• The odometer is working

If the broader situation is about whether a device is currently functioning, English often prefers is working. If it is more of a general statement, works is fine.

A rough pronunciation is:

to o-THO-me-tro lee-toor-YEE

A few useful details:

• το sounds like toh
• δ sounds like th in this
• οδόμετρο is stressed on δό
• λειτουργεί is stressed on the last syllable -γεί

A slightly more careful pronunciation guide:

• Το οδόμετρο → to o-THO-me-tro
• λειτουργεί → lee-toor-YEE

The γ in -γεί is not a hard English g. It is a softer Greek sound, so YEE is a reasonable approximation for learners.

The accent mark shows which syllable is stressed.

So:

• οδόμετρο → stress on δό
• λειτουργεί → stress on γεί

This is very important in Greek, because stress is part of the correct pronunciation of a word.

Without the right stress, people may still understand you, but it will sound less natural.

Because Greek often does not need subject pronouns when the subject is already clear.

In English, you must say:

• It works

In Greek, the verb ending often shows the person and number, so a separate pronoun is usually unnecessary.

Here, the subject is already stated explicitly:

• Το οδόμετρο λειτουργεί = The odometer works / is working

You would not normally add a separate pronoun like it.

It is 3rd person singular, present tense.

That means it matches a singular subject such as:

• το οδόμετρο = the odometer
• η μηχανή = the machine
• το σύστημα = the system

Examples:

• Το σύστημα λειτουργεί. = The system works.
• Η μηχανή λειτουργεί. = The machine is operating.

So λειτουργεί is the form used with he/she/it or any singular noun.

Yes. Το οδόμετρο λειτουργεί has a very normal, neutral word order:

• subject + verb

Greek word order is more flexible than English, but this version is the most straightforward and natural in many contexts.

You may also see other orders for emphasis or in questions, for example:

• Λειτουργεί το οδόμετρο; = Is the odometer working?

But the basic statement form is perfectly standard.

Yes. Το οδόμετρο δουλεύει is also natural and means The odometer works / is working.

The difference is mainly one of style and nuance:

• λειτουργεί = more formal, technical, or neutral for machines/systems
• δουλεύει = very common in everyday speech, often a bit more colloquial

For a device, both are possible.
If you are talking about whether an instrument is functioning properly, λειτουργεί sounds especially fitting.

You add δεν before the verb:

• Το οδόμετρο δεν λειτουργεί.

This means:

• The odometer does not work
• The odometer isn’t working

This is the normal way to negate a present-tense verb in Greek.

Yes. In speech, Greek often forms yes/no questions mainly through intonation.

So you can say:

• Το οδόμετρο λειτουργεί;

with question intonation, and it means:

• Is the odometer working?

You may also see:

• Λειτουργεί το οδόμετρο;

Both are possible, with slightly different emphasis. Greek does not require an auxiliary like English does/is to make this kind of question.

Yes, it is a standard Greek word for odometer.

It refers specifically to the device that measures distance traveled.
Learners sometimes confuse it with other car-related words, such as:

• ταχύμετρο = speedometer

So οδόμετρο is about distance, not speed.