Bedeutung
Used by superiors to subordinates to acknowledge their effort.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Gokurousama' vs 'Otsukaresama' distinction is often taught in the first week of 'shakaijin' (new employee) training. It is considered a fundamental part of business manners. In Japan, the customer is often referred to as 'Okyaku-sama' (Honorable Guest/Customer). This high status allows customers to use 'Gokurousama' toward staff, though many polite customers now prefer 'Arigatou' to sound less superior. In fictional settings, 'Gokurousama' is often used by 'villainous' bosses or very traditional authority figures to emphasize their power over others. In some rural areas, older people use 'Gokurousan' very warmly toward anyone younger who is working, and it is seen as a kind, grandfatherly gesture rather than an arrogant one.
The 'Boss' Trap
If you are unsure of the hierarchy, ALWAYS use 'Otsukaresama desu.' It is never rude, whereas 'Gokurousama' can be.
Delivery Etiquette
Using 'Gokurousama desu' to delivery drivers makes you sound like a local who understands Japanese social dynamics perfectly.
Bedeutung
Used by superiors to subordinates to acknowledge their effort.
The 'Boss' Trap
If you are unsure of the hierarchy, ALWAYS use 'Otsukaresama desu.' It is never rude, whereas 'Gokurousama' can be.
Delivery Etiquette
Using 'Gokurousama desu' to delivery drivers makes you sound like a local who understands Japanese social dynamics perfectly.
The 'Sama' Paradox
Even though 'Sama' is a high honorific, in this phrase, it is used to honor the *work*, not necessarily the *person's status* relative to yours.
Teste dich selbst
You are a manager. Your employee just finished a big report. What do you say?
田中さん、レポートの作成（ ）。
As a manager, 'Gokurousama desu' is the appropriate way to acknowledge a subordinate's hard work.
Match the phrase to the correct person you are speaking to.
Who can you say 'Gokurousama desu' to?
You can use it with service workers like delivery drivers because you are the customer (superior position).
Complete the dialogue between a boss and a subordinate.
Boss: 今日はこれで終わりだ。ご苦労様。 Subordinate: （ ）。お先に失礼します。
The subordinate must respond with 'Otsukaresama deshita' to remain polite and acknowledge the mutual end of work.
Fill in the missing kanji for the phrase.
ご（ ）様です。
The phrase uses '苦労' (kurou), meaning hardship.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben田中さん、レポートの作成（ ）。
As a manager, 'Gokurousama desu' is the appropriate way to acknowledge a subordinate's hard work.
Who can you say 'Gokurousama desu' to?
You can use it with service workers like delivery drivers because you are the customer (superior position).
Boss: 今日はこれで終わりだ。ご苦労様。 Subordinate: （ ）。お先に失礼します。
The subordinate must respond with 'Otsukaresama deshita' to remain polite and acknowledge the mutual end of work.
ご（ ）様です。
The phrase uses '苦労' (kurou), meaning hardship.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenGenerally no. It's too formal and workplace-oriented. Just say 'Arigatou' or 'Otsukare.'
Only if you are the boss writing to your team. If you are the subordinate, never use it in an email to a superior.
'Desu' is for ongoing work or a general greeting. 'Deshita' is for when the specific task is finished.
They are using the neutral/safe version to acknowledge you as a fellow member of society, or simply as a polite response.
It's not 'rude,' but it's very casual and sounds like something an old man would say. Avoid it in professional settings.
Verwandte Redewendungen
{お疲れ様|おつかれさま}です
similarThank you for your hard work (neutral/safe).
{お世話|おせわ}になります
builds onThank you for your ongoing support.
{助|たす}かりました
similarThat was a big help.
{労|ねぎら}う
specialized formTo appreciate someone's efforts.
