A1 Expression Formal

수고하셨습니다.

sugohasyeotseumnida.

You worked hard.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this phrase to acknowledge someone's effort or hard work after a task is completed.

  • Means: You have done hard work (thank you for your effort).
  • Used in: Ending meetings, finishing a shift, or after a collaborative project.
  • Don't confuse: Avoid using it with superiors as it can sound condescending.
Effort (땀) + Completion (완료) = Respectful closing (수고하셨습니다)

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means 'good job' or 'thank you for your work'. You say it when someone finishes a task.
Use this to show appreciation for someone's effort. It is used in offices or after helping someone. It is very common in daily Korean life.
This expression acknowledges the effort someone put into a task. It is essential for workplace etiquette. Be careful using it with superiors, as it can imply you are judging their work.
A standard social convention in Korea, this phrase validates the labor of others. It functions as a polite closing in professional interactions. It is culturally safer to use '고생하셨습니다' when addressing superiors to avoid sounding patronizing.
This phrase encapsulates the Korean cultural emphasis on collective effort. It serves as a phatic expression that maintains social hierarchy and harmony. Linguistically, it uses honorifics to distance the speaker from the 'trouble' the listener endured, showing respect.
As a sociolinguistic marker, '수고하셨습니다' functions as a ritualized closing. It bridges the gap between individual effort and group cohesion. Its usage is highly sensitive to power dynamics; the shift from '수고' to '고생' reflects the speaker's awareness of their relative social standing.

Significado

Used to acknowledge someone's hard work, often after a task.

🌍

Contexto cultural

It is a mandatory social ritual in offices. Very similar to 'Otsukaresama'. Less ritualized; usually reserved for genuine praise.

⚠️

Boss Alert

Never use '수고' alone with a superior.

Significado

Used to acknowledge someone's hard work, often after a task.

⚠️

Boss Alert

Never use '수고' alone with a superior.

Ponte a prueba

Which is appropriate for a boss?

What do you say to your boss after a project?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 고생하셨습니다

Using '수고' to a boss can sound condescending.

🎉 Puntuación: /1

Preguntas frecuentes

1 preguntas

Yes, use '수고했어'.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

고생하셨습니다

synonym

You endured hardship

Dónde usarla

🏢

Office Exit

Colleague: 먼저 퇴근하겠습니다. 수고하셨습니다!

formal
🎤

After Presentation

Audience: 발표하시느라 수고하셨습니다.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'So-Go' (So go home, you worked hard!).

Visual Association

Imagine a tired office worker closing their laptop and smiling at their colleague.

Story

You finish a hard exam. Your teacher walks by and says '수고하셨습니다'. You feel proud and relieved.

Word Web

수고고생노력감사인사마무리

Desafío

Say this to three people today after they finish a task.

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Buen trabajo

Korean emphasizes the 'trouble' taken, not just the result.

French moderate

Bon travail

Korean is more of a social ritual.

German moderate

Gute Arbeit

Korean is used as a greeting/closing, not just praise.

Japanese high

お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu)

They are nearly identical in function and cultural weight.

Arabic high

يعطيك العافية (Ya'teek al-afiya)

Arabic uses a religious blessing, Korean uses a secular acknowledgment.

Easily Confused

수고하셨습니다. vs 수고하세요

Used while someone is still working.

Use '수고하세요' when leaving someone who is still working.

Preguntas frecuentes (1)

Yes, use '수고했어'.

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