お疲れ

otsukare

interjection★Intermediate

◆ What It Really Means

Acknowledgment of someone's effort or hard work.

¶ Literal Meaning

You are tired.

Literal Breakdown

おhonorific prefix+疲れtired

◇ Mental Image

The mental picture of someone who has worked hard and is now tired, but the phrase is used to show appreciation rather than pity.

◈ When to Use

At the end of a workday, a manager says 'お疲れ様です' to the team to thank them for their efforts.

◉ Cultural Note

This phrase is deeply rooted in Japanese work culture, emphasizing respect and appreciation for colleagues' efforts.

formalinformal

A polite expression used to acknowledge someone's hard work or effort, often said at the end of the day or after completing a task.

今日もお疲れ様でした。

Thank you for your hard work today.

お疲れ様です。

Good work.

💡

This phrase is commonly used in workplaces and among colleagues to show appreciation for each other's efforts.

Collocations

お疲れ様ですGood work.お疲れ様でしたThank you for your hard work.

お疲れ様ですphrase

Good work.

ご苦労様ですphrase

Thank you for your hard work.

This phrase is essential in Japanese work culture and is used to acknowledge colleagues' efforts without sounding overly formal.

Always use 'お疲れ様です' when addressing superiors or in formal settings.

Derived from the verb '疲れる' (tsukareru), meaning 'to be tired,' with the honorific prefix 'お' (o).

This phrase is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings. It is often shortened to 'お疲れ' in casual conversations.

お

honorific prefix

prefix

疲れ

tired

root

和英辞典