お疲れ様でした
otsukaresama deshita
The English phrase "great work" can be expressed in Japanese as お疲れ様でした (otsukaresama deshita).
In a Japanese office, お疲れ様でした is a versatile phrase used as a greeting when passing colleagues in the hallway, when someone finishes a task or when leaving the office for the day. Other ways to express similar sentiments include the formal 素晴らしい仕事です。 (It is great work.), the formal お見事です。 (Excellent job), the informal すごい仕事だね。 (That's an amazing job.), and the informal めちゃくちゃ上手い！ (You're incredibly skilled!).
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, お疲れ様でした translates to something like "you are in a state of fatigue" or "you have become tired," which acknowledges the physical or mental toll of the work performed.
Which one should you use?
お疲れ様でした is a safe option for almost all professional settings. However, if you drop the "deshita" to say お疲れ様, the phrase becomes informal and is used with peers or subordinates. You may also encounter ご苦労様でした, but this is strictly used by a superior to a subordinate. Using it toward a senior can sound condescending.
How do you pronounce it?
otsukaresama deshita
Did you know?
- In modern Japanese digital communication, people often shorten the phrase to おつ or お疲れ in casual texts and online gaming.
- The honorific suffix 様 in お疲れ様でした is the same one used in the very formal 様 (sama) found in names like 'Tanaka-sama'. This elevates the simple act of being tired to a level of respectful recognition.
- The phrase can be used as a substitute for 'thank you' in certain contexts. Instead of thanking someone for their help, you are thanking them for the energy they expended to help you.
Examples in context
- お疲れ様でした。Otsukaresama deshita.Great work.
- プロジェクト、お疲れ様でした。Purojekuto, otsukaresama deshita.Great work on the project.
Example conversation
A male and female colleague are leaving the office for the day.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵さん、お疲れ様でした。Himari-san, otsukaresama deshita.Great work today, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太さんもお疲れ様でした。Hinata-san mo otsukaresama deshita.Great work to you too, Hinata.
- 陽太 Yotaまた明日よろしくお願いします。Mata ashita yoroshiku onegaishimasu.See you tomorrow.
- 陽葵 Himariはい、また明日。Hai, mata ashita.Yes, see you tomorrow.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries お疲れ様でした, CC BY-SA 4.0.
