A1 Expression Formel

수고했어요.

sugohaesseoyo.

You worked hard / Good job.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this to acknowledge someone's effort, whether they are a coworker, a friend, or a service worker.

  • Means: You have put in effort/hard work.
  • Used in: Ending meetings, leaving work, or thanking someone for a task.
  • Don't confuse: Avoid using it to superiors as it can sound condescending.
Effort + Recognition = Respectful Goodbye

Explanation at your level:

This is a basic way to say 'good job' or 'thanks for your work'. You use it when someone finishes a task.
It is a versatile expression used to acknowledge effort. It acts as a polite 'thank you' and a common way to say goodbye in professional settings.
This phrase is a cornerstone of Korean social etiquette. It functions as a linguistic marker of respect, acknowledging the labor of others. It is essential for navigating workplace hierarchies and social interactions.
The phrase reflects the collectivist nature of Korean society. By using it, you validate the other person's contribution to a shared goal, which is crucial for maintaining interpersonal harmony in both formal and informal contexts.
This expression demonstrates the intersection of Confucian hierarchy and modern social interaction. It requires nuanced application; misusing it with superiors can signal a lack of social awareness, while omitting it can be seen as a breach of etiquette.
As a performative utterance, '수고하다' functions as a social stabilizer. It encodes the speaker's recognition of the listener's agency and labor. Its usage is strictly governed by the relative social distance and power dynamics inherent in the Korean language's honorific system.

Signification

Acknowledging someone's effort or hard work.

🌍

Contexte culturel

It is the most common phrase heard in offices. Customers say this to staff to show appreciation. Students say this to teachers after class.

💡

The Boss Rule

Never say '수고하세요' to a superior. It is the #1 mistake learners make.

Signification

Acknowledging someone's effort or hard work.

💡

The Boss Rule

Never say '수고하세요' to a superior. It is the #1 mistake learners make.

Teste-toi

Which is appropriate for a boss?

What do you say to your manager after a meeting?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : c

Always use '고생 많으셨습니다' for superiors to show respect.

🎉 Score : /1

Aides visuelles

Questions fréquentes

1 questions

Yes, use '수고했어'.

Expressions liées

🔄

고생했어요

synonym

You suffered/worked hard

🔗

감사합니다

similar

Thank you

🔗

수고 많으셨습니다

specialized form

You did a lot of hard work

Où l'utiliser

💼

Office Departure

Employee: 먼저 들어가 보겠습니다. 수고하세요!

formal
🎤

Post-Presentation

Colleague: 발표 정말 잘 들었어요. 수고했어요!

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Soo-go' as 'So go'—you've finished your work, so you can go home!

Visual Association

Imagine a tired marathon runner crossing the finish line and a friend handing them a water bottle while saying '수고했어요'.

Rhyme

Work is hard, effort is true, say '수고했어요' to the crew.

Story

Min-su finished his report. He felt tired. His boss walked by and said, '수고했어요.' Min-su smiled, feeling appreciated. He then packed his bag and left.

Word Web

노력고생감사인사마무리수고

Défi

Say '수고하셨습니다' to three people today after they finish a task.

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Buen trabajo

It is purely praise, not a social closing.

French moderate

Bon travail

Lacks the mandatory social ritual aspect.

German low

Gute Arbeit

It is not used as a standard farewell.

Japanese high

お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu)

Almost identical in usage and social weight.

Arabic high

يعطيك العافية (Ya'teek al-'afiya)

Includes a religious blessing, unlike the secular Korean phrase.

Easily Confused

수고했어요. vs 수고하세요 vs 수고하셨습니다

Tense usage.

Use '수고하세요' for ongoing/future, '수고하셨습니다' for completed.

FAQ (1)

Yes, use '수고했어'.

C'tait utile ?

Commentaires (0)

Connectez-vous pour Commenter
Pas encore de commentaires. Soyez le premier à partager vos idées !