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A polite expression used to acknowledge someone’s hard work or effort, implying gratitude and recognition of their labor.
A: お疲れ様でした。B: ありがとうございます。
A: You must be tired. B: Thank you.
先日はお疲れ様でした。
You must have been tired the other day.
Used at the end of a workday or after someone completes a task. Common in professional settings but also used among close colleagues or friends.
Use this phrase at the end of a workday, after a meeting, or when someone finishes a task. It’s a way to show you recognize their effort. In informal settings, お疲れ様 (otsukaresama) is sufficient.
In traditional Japanese workplaces, use お疲れ様でした with superiors only if they use it first. Otherwise, use ご苦労様でした (gokurousama deshita) when speaking to subordinates.
Composed of お (honorific prefix) + 疲れ (tsukare, 'fatigue') + 様 (sama, honorific suffix) + でした (past polite copula). Literally means 'you must be fatigued.' The phrase evolved from a literal acknowledgment of physical tiredness to a broader expression of appreciation for effort.
This phrase is used in both formal and informal contexts but is most common in professional settings. It conveys respect and appreciation for someone’s hard work. Avoid using it with superiors unless they use it first, as it may sound presumptuous.