Signification
Commuting.
Contexte culturel
The 'Morning Coffee' ritual is inseparable from going to work. Most Greeks will buy a coffee (usually Freddo Espresso) on their way to the office. In Cyprus, the heat often dictates work hours. During summer, 'going to work' might happen much earlier to avoid the midday sun. The Athens Metro is the primary 'vein' for people going to work. The phrase is often heard over the noise of the trains. In Greek-American or Greek-Australian communities, the phrase is often preserved even when other parts of the language are lost, as it defines the daily struggle and success of the immigrant experience.
Drop the 'ν'
When saying 'στη δουλειά', you don't need to pronounce the 'ν' at the end of 'στην' because 'δ' is a voiced fricative. It sounds more natural as 'sti'.
Avoid 'Είμαι πηγαίνω'
Never use 'είμαι' with another verb to form the present continuous. 'Πηγαίνω' already means 'I am going'.
Signification
Commuting.
Drop the 'ν'
When saying 'στη δουλειά', you don't need to pronounce the 'ν' at the end of 'στην' because 'δ' is a voiced fricative. It sounds more natural as 'sti'.
Avoid 'Είμαι πηγαίνω'
Never use 'είμαι' with another verb to form the present continuous. 'Πηγαίνω' already means 'I am going'.
Use 'Πάω' for speed
If you want to sound like a local, use 'Πάω στη δουλειά'. It's shorter and very common in Athens.
The 'Frappe' Factor
If you are late, mentioning you were 'going to work' but stopped for coffee is a relatable (though not always professional) excuse in Greece.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct prepositional contraction.
Πηγαίνω ___ δουλειά.
Because 'δουλειά' is feminine, we use 'στη'. 'Στην' is also technically correct but 'στη' is more common before a consonant like 'δ'.
Which sentence means 'I am going to work by train'?
Select the correct translation:
Option A is the standard neutral way to express this. Option B is a literal translation error. Option C has a gender error.
Complete the dialogue.
Μαρία: Πού είσαι; Κώστας: Είμαι στο αυτοκίνητο. ________ στη δουλειά.
Κώστας is talking about himself, so he uses the first person singular 'Πηγαίνω'.
Match the phrase to the correct time.
Πηγαίνω στη δουλειά στις 08:00 το πρωί.
'Το πρωί' means 'in the morning'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Going vs. Being
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΠηγαίνω ___ δουλειά.
Because 'δουλειά' is feminine, we use 'στη'. 'Στην' is also technically correct but 'στη' is more common before a consonant like 'δ'.
Select the correct translation:
Option A is the standard neutral way to express this. Option B is a literal translation error. Option C has a gender error.
Μαρία: Πού είσαι; Κώστας: Είμαι στο αυτοκίνητο. ________ στη δουλειά.
Κώστας is talking about himself, so he uses the first person singular 'Πηγαίνω'.
Πηγαίνω στη δουλειά στις 08:00 το πρωί.
'Το πρωί' means 'in the morning'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsIt is neutral. For very formal contexts, use 'εργασία'.
Yes, if you specifically work in an office. 'Στη δουλειά' is more general.
'Πηγαίνω' is slightly more formal and can imply a habit. 'Πάω' is more common in speech for a specific moment.
Because 'δουλειά' is a feminine noun (η δουλειά).
No, it means you are in the process of going. To say you are there, use 'Είμαι στη δουλειά'.
Use the past tense: 'Πήγα στη δουλειά'.
No, for school you say 'Πηγαίνω στο σχολείο'.
It's possible ('στη δουλειά μου') but usually omitted as it's obvious whose work it is.
You wouldn't use this phrase. You would say 'Δουλεύω από το σπίτι'.
Etymologically, yes, from the ancient word 'douleia', but that meaning is completely gone now.
Use 'Φεύγω για δουλειά'.
Yes, it's perfectly fine for a neutral professional email.
The plural 'πηγαίνουμε στις δουλειές μας' is rarely used unless referring to multiple people going to different jobs.
Yes, 'πάω για το μεροκάματο' is a common casual/slang alternative.
Expressions liées
Είμαι στη δουλειά
similarI am at work
Σχολάω από τη δουλειά
contrastI am finishing work
Ψάχνω για δουλειά
builds onI am looking for a job
Κάνω δουλειά
similarI am doing work / It works
Δουλειά μου είναι...
specialized formMy job is...
