お疲れ様でした
otsukaresama deshita
Thank you for your hard work
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The essential Japanese phrase used to thank colleagues for their hard work and say goodbye at the office.
- Means: 'You look tired,' but functions as 'Good job' or 'Goodbye.'
- Used in: Offices, after sports, or when finishing a group task.
- Don't confuse: Never say 'Gokurousama' to your boss; it's condescending!
Explanation at your level:
Significado
A polite phrase to acknowledge someone's effort or work, often when they finish.
Contexto cultural
The phrase is the 'lubricant' of the office. Even if you haven't done much work, saying it acknowledges that you are part of the team and respect the collective effort. In 'Bukatsu' (school clubs), juniors must say this loudly to seniors to show respect for their training effort. On Japanese Twitter, people use #お疲れ様 to find community after work. It's a way to seek 'iyashi' (healing/comfort) from strangers. This is a major cultural hurdle. 'Gokurousama' implies the speaker is evaluating the listener's work from a position of power. Avoid it unless you are certain of your seniority.
The 'Desu' vs 'Deshita' Rule
If you're unsure, 'Otsukaresama desu' is almost always safe during the day. Save 'deshita' for the very last interaction of the day.
The Boss Trap
Never, ever say 'Gokurousama' to someone higher than you. It's the fastest way to sound accidentally arrogant!
Significado
A polite phrase to acknowledge someone's effort or work, often when they finish.
The 'Desu' vs 'Deshita' Rule
If you're unsure, 'Otsukaresama desu' is almost always safe during the day. Save 'deshita' for the very last interaction of the day.
The Boss Trap
Never, ever say 'Gokurousama' to someone higher than you. It's the fastest way to sound accidentally arrogant!
The Response
When someone says 'Otsukaresama' to you, the most natural response is to say it right back to them.
Email Etiquette
90% of internal Japanese business emails start with 'お疲れ様です。' followed by the sender's name.
Teste-se
Match the phrase to the correct time of day.
You are leaving the office at 6:00 PM. What do you say to your coworkers?
Since the workday is finished (past tense), 'deshita' is the most appropriate choice.
Choose the most appropriate response.
Your boss says to you: 'プレゼン、お疲れ様でした！' How do you reply?
You should return the phrase and add a thank you. Never say 'Gokurousama' or the casual 'Otsukare' to a boss.
Fill in the missing part of the casual greeting.
After a long gym session, you say to your friend: '今日（ ）！'
With friends, the shortened 'Otsukare' is natural and friendly.
Complete the office dialogue.
田中：お先に失礼します。 あなた：（ ）。
When someone leaves the office, the standard response is 'Otsukaresama deshita'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Usage Situations
Work
- • Leaving office
- • Ending meeting
- • Internal email
Social
- • After sports
- • Nomikai toast
- • Club activities
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, it is very common to say 'Otsukaresama deshita' to a teacher at the end of a lesson.
'Desu' is for ongoing work or greetings during the day. 'Deshita' is for work that is completely finished.
No, it's better to say 'Arigatou gozaimasu' or 'Gochisousama deshita'.
Usually no, unless they just finished a big task like moving furniture or a long drive. It's mostly for 'outside' groups.
You still say it! It's a ritual greeting, not a literal assessment of your productivity.
Yes, always use the full 'Otsukaresama desu/deshita' with superiors.
It functions as a 'hello' that acknowledges you are both currently working hard.
No, use 'Ohayou gozaimasu' (Good morning) or 'Yoroshiku onegaishimasu' (Please treat me well).
It's becoming more common, but 'Gokurousama' is actually what older people say to them. As a learner, 'Arigatou' is safest.
Start with 'お疲れ様です。' then your name, e.g., 'お疲れ様です。佐藤です。'
Frases relacionadas
お{先|さき}に{失礼|しつれい}します
builds onExcuse me for leaving before you
ご{苦労様|くろうさま}
similarGood job (top-down)
お{大事|だいじ}に
contrastTake care (of your health)
お{待|ま}たせしました
similarSorry to have kept you waiting
おつ
specialized formOtsu (slang)
Onde usar
Leaving the Office
You: お{先|さき}に{失礼|しつれい}します。{お疲|おつか}れ{様|さま}でした。
Colleague: {お疲|おつか}れ{様|さま}でした！
Ending a Zoom Call
Manager: では、これで{終|お}わります。
You: {お疲|おつか}れ{様|さま}でした。
Meeting in the Hallway
Colleague: あ、{田中|たなか}さん。{お疲|おつか}れ{様|さま}です。
You: {お疲|おつか}れ{様|さま}です。
After a Sports Match
Friend: {今日|きょう}の{試合|しあい}、{惜|お}しかったね！
You: うん、{皆|みな}{お疲|おつか}れ！
Receiving a Delivery
Driver: お{待|ま}たせしました。
You: ありがとうございます。ご{苦労様|くろうさま}…あ、{お疲|おつか}れ{様|さま}です。
At a Drinking Party (Nomikai)
Boss: {今日|きょう}のプロジェクト{成功|せいこう}に、かんぱい！
Everyone: {お疲|おつか}れ{様|さま}でしたー！
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'O-tsukare' as 'Oh, you're tired!' and 'Sama' as the respect you give them for it.
Visual Association
Imagine a group of salarymen bowing to each other under the sunset outside a tall office building, acknowledging their shared long day.
Rhyme
Work is done, the day was long, say 'Otsukaresama' and you can't go wrong!
Story
You finish a marathon. Your friend hands you a towel and says 'Otsukaresama!' They are noticing your sweat (tsukare) and honoring it (sama).
Word Web
Desafio
Next time you finish a Japanese lesson or a meeting, say 'Otsukaresama deshita' to your teacher or colleagues before logging off.
In Other Languages
Good job / See you
English lacks a single word that functions as both a greeting and a 'thank you for working'.
수고하셨습니다 (Sugohasyeotseumnida)
The Korean version is slightly more focused on the 'trouble' or 'pain' of work.
辛苦了 (Xīnkǔle)
Chinese usage is slightly broader and can be used more easily with strangers.
Buen trabajo
Spanish requires separate phrases for greeting, praising, and leaving.
Bon courage
French is proactive (before/during), Japanese is reactive (after/during).
Feierabend
German looks forward to rest; Japanese looks back at the effort.
يعطيك العافية (Ya'tik al-afiya)
The Arabic version is a prayer/blessing, while the Japanese is an observation of state.
Bom trabalho
Lacks the 'social glue' function of the Japanese phrase.
Easily Confused
Both mean 'good job' and look similar.
Remember: 'Otsukaresama' is for everyone. 'Gokurousama' is only for the boss to say.
Learners think they are saying 'good job' but are actually saying 'I am tired.'
If you want to praise someone else, you MUST include 'sama'.
Perguntas frequentes (10)
Yes, it is very common to say 'Otsukaresama deshita' to a teacher at the end of a lesson.
'Desu' is for ongoing work or greetings during the day. 'Deshita' is for work that is completely finished.
No, it's better to say 'Arigatou gozaimasu' or 'Gochisousama deshita'.
Usually no, unless they just finished a big task like moving furniture or a long drive. It's mostly for 'outside' groups.
You still say it! It's a ritual greeting, not a literal assessment of your productivity.
Yes, always use the full 'Otsukaresama desu/deshita' with superiors.
It functions as a 'hello' that acknowledges you are both currently working hard.
No, use 'Ohayou gozaimasu' (Good morning) or 'Yoroshiku onegaishimasu' (Please treat me well).
It's becoming more common, but 'Gokurousama' is actually what older people say to them. As a learner, 'Arigatou' is safest.
Start with 'お疲れ様です。' then your name, e.g., 'お疲れ様です。佐藤です。'
