Δεν πίνω αλκοόλ.

Δεν is the basic Greek word for negation here: it means not / don't.

In a simple sentence like this, it goes directly before the verb:

Δεν πίνω = I do not drink

Unlike English, Greek does not need a separate helping verb like do. So Greek says the equivalent of not drink-I, not I do not drink word-for-word.

Because the verb already tells you the subject.

Πίνω means I drink, not just drink. The ending -ω shows first person singular.

So Greek often leaves out εγώ (I) unless it is needed for emphasis or contrast.

For example:

Εγώ δεν πίνω αλκοόλ.
This would sound more like I don’t drink alcohol (maybe someone else does).

Πίνω is the 1st person singular present tense form of the verb πίνω (to drink).

So:

• πίνω = I drink
• πίνεις = you drink
• πίνει = he/she/it drinks

In your sentence, πίνω is the main verb, and δεν negates it.

It can mean either, depending on context.

Most often, without extra context, it is understood as a general statement / habit:

I don’t drink alcohol.

But Greek present tense can also refer to what is happening now, especially if the situation makes that clear:

At a dinner table, Δεν πίνω αλκοόλ could mean I’m not drinking alcohol.

If you want to make right now clearer, you could add τώρα:

Τώρα δεν πίνω αλκοόλ.
= I’m not drinking alcohol right now.

Because αλκοόλ is being used in a general, uncountable sense, like alcohol in English.

Compare English:

• I don’t drink alcohol.
• not usually I don’t drink the alcohol.

Greek works similarly here:

Δεν πίνω αλκοόλ.

If you were talking about a specific alcohol in a specific context, an article could appear, but in this general statement it is normally omitted.

Αλκοόλ is treated as a neuter noun.

In this sentence it functions as the direct object of πίνω, so in grammatical terms it is in the accusative role.

However, αλκοόλ is a loanword and normally stays the same in form, so you do not see a visible ending change here. In other words, its job in the sentence is understood from the structure, not from a special accusative ending.

A simple pronunciation guide:

• Δεν = then with the th of this, not thin
• πίνω = PEE-no
• αλκοόλ = al-ko-OL

Approximate full pronunciation:

then PEE-no al-ko-OL

A more precise version is:

[ðen ˈpino alkoˈol]

A useful note: in αλκοόλ, the two ο sounds are pronounced separately, so it does not collapse into one English-style o sound.

Yes, very often you will see or hear δε before a consonant:

Δε πίνω αλκοόλ.

This is common in everyday Greek.
Δεν is the full form and is always safe to use.

A useful rule of thumb:

• before consonants: δε or δεν may both occur
• before vowels: δεν is normally kept

So for a learner, using δεν consistently is perfectly fine.

Yes, Greek word order is more flexible than English, but the neutral order here is:

Δεν πίνω αλκοόλ.

You can move αλκοόλ to the front for emphasis:

Αλκοόλ δεν πίνω.

That sounds like:

Alcohol, I don’t drink.

But in normal, neutral speech, Δεν πίνω αλκοόλ is the best basic pattern.

Also, note that δεν still stays with the verb. That is important.

Yes. Δεν πίνω is a complete sentence.

It can mean:

• I don’t drink
• I’m not drinking

The exact meaning depends on context.

Adding αλκοόλ makes it more specific:

• Δεν πίνω. = I don’t drink / I’m not drinking.
• Δεν πίνω αλκοόλ. = I don’t drink alcohol.

So the longer version is useful when you want to be precise about what you do not drink.