Signification
Asking about employment progress.
Contexte culturel
Greeks often answer this question with a bit of a complaint ('Τρέχουμε', 'Πνιγόμαστε'), even if things are going well. It's a way to avoid 'the evil eye' and show that they are hard-working. In Cyprus, you might hear 'Πώς πάει η δουλειά σου;' with a slightly different accent, but the sentiment of social check-in remains identical. In places like Astoria or Melbourne, this phrase is a linguistic anchor used to maintain connection to Greek roots in a professional context. With the rise of remote work, Greeks now use this phrase over Zoom or Slack just as much as in person, often followed by 'Πώς είναι από το σπίτι;' (How is it from home?).
The 'Article' Rule
Never forget the 'η' before 'δουλειά'. Greeks always use articles for nouns in this context.
Don't be too specific
When someone asks you this, they usually want a general answer, not a 10-minute list of your tasks.
Signification
Asking about employment progress.
The 'Article' Rule
Never forget the 'η' before 'δουλειά'. Greeks always use articles for nouns in this context.
Don't be too specific
When someone asks you this, they usually want a general answer, not a 10-minute list of your tasks.
Use 'Τρέχουμε'
If you want to sound like a native, answer with 'Τρέχουμε!' (We're running!). It's the most common way to say you're busy.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing verb in the correct form.
Πώς ______ η δουλειά σήμερα;
The subject is 'η δουλειά' (singular), so we use the 3rd person singular 'πάει'.
Which is the most natural way to ask a friend how their work is going?
Choose the correct phrase:
'Πώς πάει' is the idiomatic way to ask about progress.
Complete the dialogue.
Α: Πώς πάει η δουλειά; Β: ________, έχω πολύ τρέξιμο.
'Δύσκολα' (Difficultly/Hard) fits the context of 'having a lot of running around' (busy).
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want to ask your boss about the progress of a specific project.
Adding 'με το...' specifies what part of the work you are asking about.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΠώς ______ η δουλειά σήμερα;
The subject is 'η δουλειά' (singular), so we use the 3rd person singular 'πάει'.
Choose the correct phrase:
'Πώς πάει' is the idiomatic way to ask about progress.
Α: Πώς πάει η δουλειά; Β: ________, έχω πολύ τρέξιμο.
'Δύσκολα' (Difficultly/Hard) fits the context of 'having a lot of running around' (busy).
You want to ask your boss about the progress of a specific project.
Adding 'με το...' specifies what part of the work you are asking about.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is perfectly acceptable in a casual office setting or during a break. It shows interest in the company's progress.
'Δουλειά' is the everyday word for job/work. 'Εργασία' is more formal, used for 'labor', 'assignment', or in academic contexts.
Not at all. It's a very standard small-talk question in Greece, similar to 'How's the weather?' but more personal.
You can say 'Έτσι κι έτσι' (So and so) or 'Δύσκολα τα πράγματα' (Things are difficult).
Yes, if you use the plural 'δουλειές', the verb becomes 'πάνε': 'Πώς πάνε οι δουλειές;'.
Usually, for school, we say 'Πώς πάει το σχολείο;' or 'Πώς πάει το διάβασμα;'.
Yes, it is used exactly the same way in Cyprus.
It's a more informal version, literally 'What does the work say?', meaning 'What's the news with work?'.
Yes, adding 'σου' (your) makes it slightly more personal, but it's often omitted because 'η δουλειά' implies the person you're talking to.
In informal or semi-formal emails, yes. In very formal business letters, use 'Ελπίζω οι εργασίες σας να εξελίσσονται ομαλά'.
Expressions liées
Τι γίνεται;
similarWhat's happening? / How's it going?
Πώς τα πας;
similarHow are you doing?
Καλή δουλειά!
builds onGood job! / Good work!
Έχω πολλή δουλειά.
similarI have a lot of work.
