It is the universal social glue for Japanese workplace communication, showing mutual respect.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A versatile greeting for expressing appreciation for someone's hard work.
- Used in almost all professional and social contexts in Japan.
- Essential for maintaining positive relationships in the workplace.
Overview
- 1概要：お疲れ様ですは、日本のビジネスシーンや日常生活で最も頻繁に使われる挨拶の一つです。直訳すると「あなたは疲れていますね」となりますが、実際には「あなたの努力を認め、感謝します」という敬意を表すポジティブな表現です。2) 使用パターン：上司、同僚、部下など、相手の立場を問わず使用可能です。ただし、目上の人に対しては「お疲れ様でした」よりも「お疲れ様です」の方が、継続的な敬意を示すため好まれる傾向があります。3) 一般的な文脈：オフィスでの挨拶、電話の始まり、メールの書き出し、帰宅時の挨拶など、多岐にわたります。特に、仕事の切り替わりや、誰かとすれ違う際のコミュニケーションツールとして非常に重要です。4) 類似語との比較：「ご苦労様」は目上の人が目下の人に使う言葉であり、目上の人には使用してはいけません。一方、「お疲れ様です」は、相手を立てるニュアンスが強いため、誰に対しても使える非常に便利な万能フレーズです。
Examples
田中さん、お疲れ様です。
everydayTanaka-san, good work.
本日もお疲れ様です。資料をお送りします。
formalGood work today. I am sending the document.
お疲れ様！また明日ね。
informalGood work! See you tomorrow.
会議の準備、お疲れ様です。
academicThank you for your hard work on the meeting preparation.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
お疲れ様です、また明日
Good work, see you tomorrow
先ほどはお疲れ様でした
Thank you for your hard work earlier
お疲れ様です、少しよろしいでしょうか
Good work, do you have a moment?
Often Confused With
This is used by superiors to subordinates. Using it toward a superior is considered very rude.
This is a neutral greeting. While polite, it lacks the specific nuance of acknowledging someone's effort.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
This phrase is used in almost all professional settings to acknowledge shared effort. It serves as a greeting, a sign-off, and a way to break the ice. It is vital to use this instead of casual greetings when in a workplace environment to maintain professional decorum.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is using 'ご苦労様' to a superior, which implies that the speaker is in a higher position. Another mistake is using it with external clients, where 'お世話になっております' is the standard. Beginners often forget that it is used even when the other person hasn't actually done anything yet.
Tips
Use it as a conversation starter
You can use this phrase to start a conversation with a colleague even if they aren't visibly tired. It acts as a polite 'hello' in the office.
Avoid using with clients
It is generally not recommended to use this with external clients or customers. Use 'いつもお世話になっております' instead.
The importance of recognition
In Japanese culture, acknowledging others' efforts is a way to show respect. This phrase is the primary tool for this social ritual.
Word Origin
Derived from 'tsukaru' (to get tired) and 'sama' (honorific suffix). It evolved to mean 'you have become tired for the sake of the task', thus honoring the effort.
Cultural Context
In Japan, hard work is highly valued. This phrase acts as a social lubricant that validates the collective effort of the team, regardless of individual roles.
Memory Tip
Think of it as 'The Japanese Workplace Hello'. Whenever you see a colleague, just say 'Otsukaresama desu' to instantly sound professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsはい、問題ありません。「お疲れ様です」は、上司や先輩に対しても使える丁寧な挨拶です。ただし、さらに高い敬意を表したい場合は「お世話になっております」などが使われることもあります。
「お疲れ様でした」は、その日の業務が完全に終わった時や、プロジェクトが完了した時に使います。一方、「お疲れ様です」は、仕事の途中や日常的な挨拶として継続的に使われます。
はい、非常に一般的です。ビジネスメールの冒頭で「お疲れ様です。〇〇です。」と名乗るのが日本の標準的なスタイルです。
「ご苦労様」は上から目線のニュアンスが含まれるため、基本的には避けるのが無難です。部下に対しても「お疲れ様です」を使うのが現代のビジネスマナーです。
Test Yourself
同僚と廊下ですれ違ったとき： 「〇〇さん、___。」
職場での挨拶として最も自然で、相手への敬意が含まれているため。
「お疲れ様です」を使うべき場面はどれですか？
ビジネスの場において、相手をねぎらう挨拶として適切です。
（です / お疲れ様 / 本日も / ）
「本日も」を文頭に置くことで、一日の労をねぎらう自然な表現になります。
Score: /3
Summary
It is the universal social glue for Japanese workplace communication, showing mutual respect.
- A versatile greeting for expressing appreciation for someone's hard work.
- Used in almost all professional and social contexts in Japan.
- Essential for maintaining positive relationships in the workplace.
Use it as a conversation starter
You can use this phrase to start a conversation with a colleague even if they aren't visibly tired. It acts as a polite 'hello' in the office.
Avoid using with clients
It is generally not recommended to use this with external clients or customers. Use 'いつもお世話になっております' instead.
The importance of recognition
In Japanese culture, acknowledging others' efforts is a way to show respect. This phrase is the primary tool for this social ritual.
Examples
4 of 4田中さん、お疲れ様です。
Tanaka-san, good work.
本日もお疲れ様です。資料をお送りします。
Good work today. I am sending the document.
お疲れ様！また明日ね。
Good work! See you tomorrow.
会議の準備、お疲れ様です。
Thank you for your hard work on the meeting preparation.
Related Content
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More work words
調整
A1The act of making small changes to something to achieve a desired fit, function, or balance. In a work context, it specifically refers to coordinating schedules or aligning different opinions to reach an agreement.
有利な
B1Advantageous or favorable.
承知する
B1To acknowledge, agree; to be aware of and consent to something.
年収
B1Annual income; yearly salary.
応募
B1To apply for a position, a competition, a prize, or a public offer. It indicates a proactive step to participate in something.
応募する
B1To apply for a job or position.
勤怠
B1Attendance record; presence or absence from work.
係員
A2Person in charge; attendant.
～と同時に
B1At the same time as, simultaneously with.
ぎんこういん
A2Bank employee.
