What does it mean word for word?
Literally, お疲れ様 translates to "you are tired" or "you have become tired," acknowledging the fatigue resulting from effort.
Which one should you use?
While お疲れ様 is safe to use with anyone, the phrase ご苦労様 is used only by a superior to a subordinate. If you want to say "Well done!" (lit. "You did it well."), you can use よくやりました or if you want to say "Splendid!" (lit. "This is splendid."), you can use お見事です.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お疲れ様 is a standard, polite way to acknowledge someone's work in a professional or social setting. You can use the formal お疲れ様でした to say "Good job!" (lit. "Thank you for your hard work."). For a casual setting with friends, peers or subordinates, you can use the informal version おつかれ, which means "nice job!" or "cheers." Other informal options include よくやったね for "Well done!"
How do you pronounce it?
otsukaresama
Did you know?
- The phrase お疲れ様 is frequently used as a toast during after-work drinks to acknowledge the collective effort of the group.
- In internet slang, the informal おつかれ is often shortened further to おつ (otsu) when typing to friends or gaming peers.
- While お疲れ様 focuses on the state of being tired, Japanese culture views this shared fatigue as a primary way to build social bonds and empathy among coworkers.
Examples in context
- さすが、よくやりましたね。As expected, you did a great job!
- 田中さん、お疲れ様でした。Nice job, Tanaka!
- よくやりました！Nice job!
- 今日もお疲れ様。Kyou mo otsukaresama.Nice job today.
- プレゼン、お疲れ様でした。Purezen, otsukaresama deshita.Nice job on the presentation.
- みんな、本当にお疲れ様！Minna, hontou ni otsukaresama!Nice job, everyone!
Example conversation
After a long shift at a cafe.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔君、今日もお疲れ様。Hiroto-kun, kyou mo otsukaresama.Nice job today, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵さんも、お疲れ様。Himari-san mo, otsukaresama.Nice job to you too, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himari明日は休みだね。Ashita wa yasumi dane.We have tomorrow off, right?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、ゆっくり休もう。Un, yukkuri yasumou.Yeah, let's get some rest.
