A2 Expression رسمي جدًا

수고 많으셨습니다.

Sugo maneusyeotseumnida.

You've worked hard.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

The essential Korean way to say 'Thank you for your hard work' at the end of a task or day.

  • Means: 'You have gone through much trouble/suffering for this.'
  • Used in: Finishing a work shift, ending a meeting, or completing a group project.
  • Don't confuse: Avoid saying this to people much older or higher in status than you.
💼 + 😓 + 🙏 = 수고 많으셨습니다

Explanation at your level:

This is a polite way to say 'Good job' or 'Thank you for your work.' You say it when someone finishes a job. For example, say it to a taxi driver when you get out. It is very common in Korea. It uses the word for 'hard work' and 'many.'
At this level, you should know that '수고' means 'effort' or 'trouble.' This phrase is used to thank someone for their effort after they finish a task. It is formal and polite. Use it with colleagues or people providing a service. Remember to use the past tense because the work is done.
This expression is essential for professional social interaction in Korea. It combines the noun '수고' (trouble) with the honorific past tense of '많다' (to be many). It functions as a closing greeting. You should distinguish it from '수고하세요,' which is used when the other person is still working while you are leaving.
Beyond simple gratitude, this phrase acknowledges the 'cost' of an action. It is sociolinguistically complex because of the hierarchy involved. While '수고 많으셨습니다' is highly polite, using it toward a superior can sometimes imply you are in a position to judge their performance. In very formal hierarchical settings, '고생하셨습니다' is often preferred as a safer alternative.
The phrase encapsulates the Korean cultural emphasis on 'suffering' ({受苦}) as a prerequisite for achievement. Linguistically, the inclusion of the honorific infix '-시-' and the formal '-습니다' ending elevates the register. Advanced learners should master the '-느라' construction to specify the nature of the effort, showing a nuanced understanding of the listener's specific contributions.
An analysis of '수고 많으셨습니다' reveals the intersection of Buddhist etymology and Confucian social structures. The transition of {受苦} from a theological concept of enduring worldly pain to a secular lubricant for workplace harmony is a prime example of linguistic evolution. Mastery involves navigating the subtle 'evaluative' nuance that can trigger 'Chemyeon' (face) issues when directed upward in a hierarchy, necessitating a shift to '애쓰셨습니다' or '고생하셨습니다' in specific high-stakes contexts.

المعنى

A polite expression appreciating someone's efforts.

🌍

خلفية ثقافية

In Korean companies, saying 'Sugo 많으셨습니다' is not just a choice; it's a ritual. Leaving without saying it can be seen as cold or arrogant. Koreans often use this phrase to show respect to blue-collar workers, such as janitors or security guards, acknowledging that their work is physically demanding. The 'Sugo' taboo for elders is real. If you are unsure, use '감사합니다' (Thank you) or '고생 많으셨습니다' (You went through much hardship), which is always safe. The phrase reinforces the idea that success is a result of everyone's shared 'suffering' or effort, rather than just individual talent.

🎯

The 'Taxi' Rule

Saying this to a taxi driver is the fastest way to sound like a local who understands Korean culture.

⚠️

The Boss Trap

If your boss is much older, stick to '감사합니다' or '고생하셨습니다' to be 100% safe.

المعنى

A polite expression appreciating someone's efforts.

🎯

The 'Taxi' Rule

Saying this to a taxi driver is the fastest way to sound like a local who understands Korean culture.

⚠️

The Boss Trap

If your boss is much older, stick to '감사합니다' or '고생하셨습니다' to be 100% safe.

💬

Eye Contact

When saying this, a slight nod of the head or a small bow makes it much more sincere.

اختبر نفسك

Choose the most appropriate phrase to say to a taxi driver when you arrive at your destination.

목적지에 도착했습니다. 기사님께 뭐라고 할까요?

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: 수고 많으셨습니다

Since the ride is finished, you use the past tense. '수고 많으셨습니다' is the most polite and natural choice.

Fill in the blank to complete the sentence acknowledging someone's effort in preparing a meeting.

회의를 준비(______) 수고 많으셨습니다.

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: 하시느라

The pattern '-느라' is used to show the reason for the effort, and '-시-' adds necessary honorific respect for the person you are thanking.

Match the phrase to the correct situation.

1. 수고하세요 2. 수고 많으셨습니다

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: 1-A, 2-B

'수고하세요' is for ongoing work; '수고 많으셨습니다' is for completed work.

Complete the dialogue between a manager and an employee.

부장님: 오늘 프로젝트 발표 정말 잘 들었습니다. 직원: 감사합니다. 자료 (______) 수고 많으셨습니다.

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: 찾으시느라

The employee is acknowledging the manager's effort in finding materials, so the honorific '-시-' is required.

🎉 النتيجة: /4

وسائل تعلم بصرية

الأسئلة الشائعة

5 أسئلة

It's better to say '감사합니다' or '가르쳐 주셔서 감사합니다.' 'Sugo' can sound like you are evaluating their teaching.

Adding '많으셨습니다' (there was much...) makes it sound warmer and more appreciative of the scale of the effort.

Yes, it's very common among friends after doing something together, like studying or playing sports.

Actually, they usually say it when *leaving* a shop to acknowledge the staff's work. Saying it when entering is rare.

Yes, it's a very standard way to end a business email after a project or task is discussed.

عبارات ذات صلة

🔗

고생 많으셨습니다

similar

You went through much hardship.

🔗

수고하세요

similar

Keep up the hard work.

🔗

애쓰셨습니다

specialized form

You exerted yourself greatly.

🔗

노고에 감사드립니다

formal

I give thanks for your labor.

أين تستخدمها

🏢

Leaving the Office

Employee A: 먼저 가보겠습니다. 오늘 수고 많으셨습니다.

Employee B: 네, 수고 많으셨어요. 조심히 가세요.

formal
🚕

After a Taxi Ride

Passenger: 여기서 내려주세요. 수고 많으셨습니다.

Driver: 네, 감사합니다. 안녕히 가세요.

formal
💻

Ending a Group Project

Student A: 드디어 끝났네요! 다들 수고 많으셨습니다.

Student B: 진짜 고생 많았어요. 우리 이제 밥 먹으러 가요!

neutral
📦

To a Delivery Person

Customer: 더운데 배달하시느라 수고 많으셨습니다.

Delivery Person: 아이고, 감사합니다. 맛있게 드세요!

formal
⚽

After a Sports Match

Player A: 오늘 경기 수고 많으셨습니다.

Player B: 수고하셨습니다! 다음에도 같이 해요.

neutral
🤝

Finishing a Meeting

Manager: 오늘 회의는 여기서 마치겠습니다. 수고 많으셨습니다.

Staff: 수고하셨습니다!

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Sugo' as 'Super Go'—you had to go super hard to finish the job!

Visual Association

Imagine a worker wiping sweat from their forehead while someone hands them a cold bottle of water and says this phrase.

Rhyme

Work is done, the day is through, 'Sugo man-eusyeoss-seumnida' to you!

Story

A tired delivery man climbs five flights of stairs. When he reaches the top, the customer bows and says 'Sugo 많으셨습니다.' The delivery man smiles because his 'suffering' (수고) was recognized.

Word Web

수고 (Effort)많다 (Many)고생 (Hardship)노고 (Labor)감사 (Gratitude)퇴근 (Leaving work)인사 (Greeting)

تحدٍّ

Next time you finish a Korean lesson or a meeting, say '수고 많으셨습니다' out loud to your teacher or colleagues.

In Other Languages

Japanese high

お疲れ様でした (Otsukaresama deshita)

Japanese uses 'fatigue' (tsukare) while Korean uses 'suffering' (sugo).

English moderate

Good job / Thanks for your hard work

English is less hierarchical and can be said to anyone; Korean is more sensitive to status.

Chinese high

辛苦了 (Xīnkǔ le)

Chinese 'Xinku' is slightly more flexible across age gaps than Korean 'Sugo.'

French low

Bon courage / Merci pour votre travail

French focuses on encouragement; Korean focuses on retrospective acknowledgement.

Spanish moderate

Buen trabajo / Gracias por su esfuerzo

Spanish is more of a compliment than a standard departure greeting.

German partial

Gute Arbeit / Schönen Feierabend

German focuses on the reward (rest); Korean focuses on the effort (work).

Arabic moderate

يعطيك العافية (Ya'tik al-afiya)

Arabic uses a religious blessing; Korean uses a secular acknowledgement of suffering.

Portuguese low

Bom trabalho / Obrigado pelo empenho

Less frequent as a standard 'goodbye' in the office.

Easily Confused

수고 많으셨습니다. مقابل 수고하세요

Learners use it when leaving work, even if everyone is leaving together.

Only use 'Sugo-haseyo' if the other person is *staying* to work more. If you are both done, use 'Sugo man-eusyeoss-seumnida.'

수고 많으셨습니다. مقابل 고생하세요

Learners think it's a polite version of 'Sugo-haseyo.'

Never say 'Gosaeng-haseyo.' It literally means 'Please go through hardship,' which sounds like a curse!

الأسئلة الشائعة (5)

It's better to say '감사합니다' or '가르쳐 주셔서 감사합니다.' 'Sugo' can sound like you are evaluating their teaching.

Adding '많으셨습니다' (there was much...) makes it sound warmer and more appreciative of the scale of the effort.

Yes, it's very common among friends after doing something together, like studying or playing sports.

Actually, they usually say it when *leaving* a shop to acknowledge the staff's work. Saying it when entering is rare.

Yes, it's a very standard way to end a business email after a project or task is discussed.

هل كان هذا مفيداً؟

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