Significado
Working on a task.
Contexto cultural
Greeks often use 'έχω μια δουλειά' to avoid saying 'no' directly, which can be seen as rude. It's a soft way to decline. The phrase is heavily associated with 'dimosies ypiresies' (public services). 'Doing a job' often implies navigating paperwork. The plural 'κάνω δουλειές' almost always refers to housework, a central part of Greek family life on Saturdays. In Greece, the line between personal errands and professional work is often blurred; people might leave work to 'do a job' and return.
The 'Vague' Power
Use this phrase when you want to be polite but don't want to share details about your plans.
Stress Matters
Be careful with the stress on δουλειά. If you say δουλεία (thoo-LEE-ah), you are talking about slavery!
Significado
Working on a task.
The 'Vague' Power
Use this phrase when you want to be polite but don't want to share details about your plans.
Stress Matters
Be careful with the stress on δουλειά. If you say δουλεία (thoo-LEE-ah), you are talking about slavery!
The Diminutive
Use 'δουλίτσα' (thoo-LEE-tsa) to sound more friendly and less stressed about your tasks.
Saturday is Errand Day
In Greece, Saturday morning is the prime time for 'δουλειές'. Most shops close early, so everyone is 'doing a job'.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'κάνω'.
Αυτή τη στιγμή, ο Γιώργος _______ μια δουλειά στον κήπο.
The subject is 'ο Γιώργος' (he), so we use the third person singular.
Which phrase is the best excuse to leave a party politely?
Πρέπει να φύγω γιατί...
'Έχω μια δουλειά' (I have a task/errand) is the most natural excuse.
Complete the dialogue.
Α: Θέλεις να πάμε για καφέ; Β: Δυστυχώς δεν μπορώ, _______.
Doing chores (plural) is a common reason to decline an invitation.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at the bank to pay a bill.
Running an errand at a bank is the classic use of 'κάνω μια δουλειά'.
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Ayudas visuales
Uses of 'Κάνω μια δουλειά'
Errands
- • Bank
- • Supermarket
- • Post Office
Tasks
- • Report
- • Fixing something
Excuses
- • Leaving a party
- • Ending a call
Singular vs Plural
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosΑυτή τη στιγμή, ο Γιώργος _______ μια δουλειά στον κήπο.
The subject is 'ο Γιώργος' (he), so we use the third person singular.
Πρέπει να φύγω γιατί...
'Έχω μια δουλειά' (I have a task/errand) is the most natural excuse.
Α: Θέλεις να πάμε για καφέ; Β: Δυστυχώς δεν μπορώ, _______.
Doing chores (plural) is a common reason to decline an invitation.
You are at the bank to pay a bill.
Running an errand at a bank is the classic use of 'κάνω μια δουλειά'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasYes, but only to refer to a specific task you are doing right now, not to describe your career in general.
'Δουλεύω' is the verb 'to work'. 'Κάνω μια δουλειά' is 'to do a task/errand'.
Yes, it is very common and socially acceptable in Greece to say 'έχω μια δουλειά' to excuse yourself.
Use the plural: 'Κάνω δουλειές' or 'Κάνω δουλειές του σπιτιού'.
Only if it's a school or university assignment. For errands, it sounds too formal.
In modern Greek, yes. It can mean a job, a task, an errand, or even a favor.
It can mean 'I'm doing my job' or 'I'm getting what I want/achieving my goal'.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends, family, and colleagues.
Έχω πολλές δουλειές.
Absolutely. It's very common to text 'Κάνω μια δουλειά, σε παίρνω μετά'.
Έκανα μια δουλειά (I did a task).
Yes, 'κάνω μια φάση' or 'τρέχω για μια δουλειά'.
Frases relacionadas
κάνω δουλειές
specialized formDoing chores or multiple errands
έχω δουλειά
similarI am busy / I have work
δουλειά μου είναι
builds onIt is my job to...
πιάνω δουλειά
similarTo start work / To get a job
χάνω τη δουλειά μου
contrastTo lose my job
