Signification
A polite expression to acknowledge someone's hard work at the end of the day.
Contexte culturel
Leaving the office before your boss (ya-geun) is a sensitive topic. Using this phrase is a way to soften the 'guilt' of leaving early. Students almost always say this to their 'hagwon' (private academy) teachers after a long night of classes. It is common to say '수고하세요' to bus drivers or security guards, acknowledging their service to the public. On KakaoTalk, people often use the abbreviation 'ㅅㄱ' (s-g) for '수고,' but only with very close friends. For work, they use the full phrase.
The Bow is Key
Always accompany this phrase with a slight bow. The deeper the bow, the more respect you show.
Hierarchy Matters
If you are much younger than the person, consider using '고생 많으셨습니다' to avoid sounding like you are evaluating them.
Signification
A polite expression to acknowledge someone's hard work at the end of the day.
The Bow is Key
Always accompany this phrase with a slight bow. The deeper the bow, the more respect you show.
Hierarchy Matters
If you are much younger than the person, consider using '고생 많으셨습니다' to avoid sounding like you are evaluating them.
Don't expect a 'You're welcome'
The typical response is '네' (Yes) or '수고하셨습니다' back to you. It's a mutual acknowledgement.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct honorific form to address your boss.
부장님, 오늘 하루도 수고 ________.
'-으셨습니다' is the correct honorific past formal ending for a superior.
Which phrase is most appropriate when YOU are leaving the office and your colleagues are still working?
You are leaving. Your colleagues are staying.
'수고하세요' (Keep up the hard work) is used when you leave and others stay.
Complete the dialogue between two close friends.
A: 시험 공부하느라 진짜 힘들었다. B: 그러게. 너도 오늘 ________.
Friends use 'Banmal' (informal speech), so '수고했어' is correct.
Which Hanja root for '수고' (Sugo) means 'to receive'?
수고 ({?}|{苦})
受 (수) means 'to receive' or 'to accept.'
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Sugo'
Work
- • Leaving office
- • End of meeting
- • Project finish
Service
- • Taxi exit
- • Delivery arrival
- • Security guard
Study
- • End of class
- • Study group
- • Tutor session
Banque d exercices
4 exercices부장님, 오늘 하루도 수고 ________.
'-으셨습니다' is the correct honorific past formal ending for a superior.
You are leaving. Your colleagues are staying.
'수고하세요' (Keep up the hard work) is used when you leave and others stay.
A: 시험 공부하느라 진짜 힘들었다. B: 그러게. 너도 오늘 ________.
Friends use 'Banmal' (informal speech), so '수고했어' is correct.
수고 ({?}|{苦})
受 (수) means 'to receive' or 'to accept.'
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsYes, '오늘 하루도 수고 많으셨습니다' is the perfect, safe phrase for a boss.
They are almost identical. '많으셨습니다' (were many) emphasizes the *amount* of work slightly more and sounds a bit warmer.
Only if you use the informal version: '수고했어'. The formal version sounds like you are making fun of them or being cold.
Say '수고하세요' (Keep working hard).
It's better to say '잘 먹었습니다' (I ate well) or '감사합니다'. '수고하세요' as you leave is okay but less common than in a taxi.
Expressions liées
고생 많으셨습니다
similarYou went through a lot of trouble/suffering.
애쓰셨습니다
specialized formYou put in a lot of effort.
수고하세요
builds onKeep up the hard work.
잘 하셨습니다
contrastYou did well.
