What does it mean word for word?
The phrase contains 今日 (kyou), meaning "today" and お疲れ様でした (otsukaresama deshita), which is a polite way to acknowledge someone's fatigue or effort, literally meaning "you are tired" or "thank you for your hard work".
Which one should you use?
The phrase お疲れ様でした is the standard polite way to acknowledge work completed in the past tense. In contrast, ご苦労様でした (gokurousama deshita) also means "good work", but it is used exclusively by a superior to a subordinate. Using it toward a boss is considered rude.
How does it change in a sentence?
Using the past tense form でした (deshita) makes the phrase the standard polite way to say this at the end of a shift or task. Dropping the でした to use お疲れ様 makes the phrase informal.
How do you pronounce it?
kyou mo otsukaresama deshita
When do people say it?
When someone says this to you, the standard response is to say the same phrase back to them.
Did you know?
- While 'good work' is usually a compliment in English, the core of this phrase, 疲れ, refers to 'fatigue'. To use it is to socially validate that the other person has worked hard enough to actually feel weary.
- The word 疲れ (tsukare) comes from the verb 疲れる (tsukareru), which shares an ancient linguistic root with the idea of being 'worn out' like a piece of fabric.
- The phrase is used so frequently in business that it can actually function as a substitute for 'hello' or even as a way to answer the telephone.
Examples in context
- あなたの頑張りは素晴らしかったです。お疲れさまでした。Your effort was wonderful. Good work today.
- 今日も素晴らしい仕事をしましたね。お疲れ様です。You did a wonderful job today too. Good work today.
- 一緒にプロジェクトをやり切りました。お疲れ！We finished the project together. Good work!
- 今日もお疲れ様でした。Kyō mo otsukaresama deshita.Good work today.
- 蓮さん、今日もお疲れ様でした。Ren-san, kyō mo otsukaresama deshita.Good work today, Ren.
- 皆さん、今日もお疲れ様でした！Minasan, kyō mo otsukaresama deshita!Good work today, everyone!
Example conversation
At the office as the workday ends.
- 蓮 Ren結衣さん、今日もお疲れ様でした。Yui-san, kyō mo otsukaresama deshita.Good work today, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんもお疲れ様でした。Ren-san mo otsukaresama deshita.Good work to you too, Ren.
- 蓮 Renまた明日。Mata ashita.See you tomorrow.
- 結衣 Yuiはい、また明日。Hai, mata ashita.Yes, see you tomorrow.
