Which one should you use?
The phrase 수고하셨습니다 is used after work is finished. In contrast, 수고하세요 is used to say "keep up the good work" or "continue your hard work" to someone who is still working. For more informal settings, you might use 수고했어 with friends or people younger than you or 고생 많았어 to say "You've worked hard" among friends or close colleagues. Adding 정말 to these, as in 정말 고생 많았어, emphasizes your sincerity.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
수고하셨습니다 is a formal and polite way of saying thank you for working hard. For informal situations with friends or close colleagues, you can use 고생 많았어 or the shortened 수고했어.
How do you pronounce it?
sugohasyeossseumnida
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers should avoid saying 수고하셨습니다 to a person of significantly higher social status or a much older person (like a CEO or a grandparent) as it can imply you are evaluating their performance.
Did you know?
- The phrase 수고하세요 is a common way to say 'goodbye' when leaving a shop or a restaurant. Instead of saying 'goodbye', you are actually telling the staff to 'continue your hard work'.
- If you want to express deep empathy for a colleague who has endured a truly grueling or painful ordeal, use 고생하셨습니다 instead of 수고하셨습니다. The former literally translates to 'you have suffered much', focusing on the hardship endured rather than just the labor performed.
- In Korean workplace culture, it is common to say 수고하셨습니다 collectively to a whole room of people as you leave the office, rather than just to individuals.
Examples in context
- 수고하셨습니다. 회의 준비에 많은 시간과 노력을 들여주셔서 정말 감사합니다.Thank you for your hard work. I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into the meeting preparation.
- 고생 많으셨습니다. 항상 열심히 일하시는 모습이 저에게 큰 영감을 주셨어요.You've worked hard. Your dedication and hard work have always been a great inspiration to me.
- 고생 많이 했어. 내가 너처럼 열심히 일할 수 있도록 영감을 주는구나.You've worked a lot. You inspire me to work hard just like you.
- 오늘 정말 수고하셨습니다.oneul jeongmal sugohasyeotseumnida.You really worked hard today.
- 모두 수고하셨습니다, 고생 많으셨어요.modu sugohasyeotseumnida, gosaeng maneusyeosseoyo.Everyone worked hard, you all went through a lot.
- 팀장님, 오늘 수고하셨습니다.timjangnim, oneul sugohasyeotseumnida.Team leader, thank you for your hard work today.
Example conversation
At an office, as the employees are leaving for the day.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준 씨, 오늘 정말 수고하셨습니다.Minjun ssi, oneul jeongmal sugohasyeotseumnida.Minjun, thank you for your hard work today.
- 민준 Min-jun아니에요, 서연 씨도 수고하셨습니다.Anieyo, Seoyeon ssi-do sugohasyeotseumnida.No, you worked hard too, Seoyeon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon내일 뵙겠습니다.naeil boepgetseumnida.I will see you tomorrow.
- 민준 Min-jun네, 조심히 들어가세요.ne, josimhi deureogaseyo.Yes, get home safely.
