お疲れ様です
Good work (greeting)
Literalmente: o (honorific) + tsukare (fatigue) + sama (honorific suffix) + desu (is)
Use it to acknowledge anyone's effort, from colleagues to friends finishing a long day.
En 15 segundos
- The ultimate workplace greeting and 'thank you' combo.
- Acknowledges someone's hard work and shows mutual respect.
- Used as hello, goodbye, or a job-well-done compliment.
Significado
A versatile phrase used to thank someone for their hard work or as a general greeting in professional settings. It literally acknowledges that the other person is tired from their efforts and shows your appreciation.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Leaving the office for the day
お先に失礼します。お疲れ様です！
I'm leaving first. Good work today!
Texting a friend after their shift
バイトお疲れ様！
Good job at your part-time job!
Ending a formal project meeting
本日は本当にお疲れ様でした。
Thank you very much for your hard work today.
Contexto cultural
This phrase is the cornerstone of Japanese social harmony ('wa'). It originated from acknowledging the physical toll of labor and has evolved into the standard lubricant for all workplace interactions. It emphasizes the process and effort rather than just the final result.
The 'Gokurosama' Trap
Never say 'Gokurosama' to your boss. It sounds patronizing because it's only used by superiors to thank subordinates. Stick to 'Otsukaresama' to be safe!
The Workplace Hello
In many Japanese companies, people don't say 'Konnichiwa.' They use 'Otsukaresama desu' as the primary greeting from morning until night.
En 15 segundos
- The ultimate workplace greeting and 'thank you' combo.
- Acknowledges someone's hard work and shows mutual respect.
- Used as hello, goodbye, or a job-well-done compliment.
What It Means
Think of this as the Swiss Army knife of Japanese greetings. It literally acknowledges that someone is tired from working hard. You are saying "I see your effort and I appreciate it." It is much warmer than a simple "hello." It creates an instant bond over shared tasks.
How To Use It
You will hear this everywhere in a Japanese office. Use it when you pass someone in the hallway. Use it when you start a phone call. Use it when you finish a long day together. It creates a sense of shared struggle and success. It works as a hello, a goodbye, and a thank you. Just remember to bow slightly when saying it to a superior.
When To Use It
Use it when you arrive at work in the morning. Use it when a teammate finishes a big presentation. It is perfect for texting a friend after their part-time job. Even use it when meeting someone for a drink after work. It sets a friendly, supportive tone immediately. If you see a coworker looking stressed, this phrase is a gentle pick-me-up.
When NOT To Use It
Don't say this to a waiter at a restaurant. They are working, but it feels a bit too intimate. Avoid saying it to your teacher after a regular class. Don't use it if someone is just relaxing at home. It requires some level of "task" or "effort" to make sense. Using it on a complete stranger in the park would be very weird.
Cultural Background
Japan values the group over the individual. This phrase reinforces that everyone is working hard together. It’s about "wa" or social harmony. By acknowledging someone's fatigue, you are showing deep empathy. It’s a verbal hug for the hardworking soul. It reflects a culture that prizes diligence and mutual recognition.
Common Variations
Otsukare is the casual version for close friends. Otsukaresama deshita is for when the work is officially over. Use the past tense deshita when you are leaving for the day. If you want to sound like a cool teen, just say otsuu. But maybe save that for your best friends only! It’s the ultimate way to stay connected in a busy world.
Notas de uso
This is a neutral-to-polite expression. Use the full version in the office and the shortened version with friends. Avoid using it with people of much higher social status like teachers or doctors unless you have a very close relationship.
The 'Gokurosama' Trap
Never say 'Gokurosama' to your boss. It sounds patronizing because it's only used by superiors to thank subordinates. Stick to 'Otsukaresama' to be safe!
The Workplace Hello
In many Japanese companies, people don't say 'Konnichiwa.' They use 'Otsukaresama desu' as the primary greeting from morning until night.
Don't use it for service staff
While they are working hard, saying this to a cashier or waiter is awkward. Use 'Arigato gozaimasu' instead.
Ejemplos
6お先に失礼します。お疲れ様です！
I'm leaving first. Good work today!
The standard way to say goodbye to colleagues who are still working.
バイトお疲れ様！
Good job at your part-time job!
Shortened to 'Otsukare' for a casual, friendly vibe.
本日は本当にお疲れ様でした。
Thank you very much for your hard work today.
Uses the past tense 'deshita' to signal the task is complete.
あ、佐藤さん、お疲れ様です。
Oh, Mr. Sato, hello (good work).
Functions as a simple 'hello' within a company building.
お散歩お疲れ様でした！
Good job on your walk!
A cute, personified way to talk to animals.
完走お疲れ様。ゆっくり休んでね。
Good job finishing the race. Get some good rest.
Shows deep empathy for someone's physical exhaustion.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct ending for a formal situation after a task is finished.
今日はありがとうございました。お疲れ様___。
The past tense 'deshita' is used when the specific period of work or the task has concluded.
What is the most natural way to greet a coworker you pass in the breakroom?
___です。
'Otsukaresama' is the standard neutral greeting for colleagues. 'Gokurosama' is only for superiors speaking to subordinates.
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Ayudas visuales
Formality Levels of Otsukare
Very slangy, used by youth.
おつー
Casual, for friends and peers.
お疲れ！
Standard polite/neutral workplace use.
お疲れ様です。
Formal, used when a task is finished.
お疲れ様でした。
Where to use Otsukaresama
Office Hallway
Greeting a colleague
Izakaya (Pub)
First drink after work
Messaging App
Reacting to a friend's news
Sports Club
After practice ends
Preguntas frecuentes
11 preguntasIt literally means 'You are an honorable tired person.' It recognizes the fatigue that comes from doing a good job.
Yes, but only in environments where people are working or have a shared purpose, like an office or a school club.
Absolutely. Otsukaresama desu is the perfect, polite way to acknowledge your boss's work.
Use desu for an ongoing state or a general greeting. Use deshita when the work day or a specific task is officially over.
Yes! Just drop the sama desu and say Otsukare! to make it casual and friendly.
It implies a level of peer-to-peer relationship or hierarchy that doesn't exist with service staff. It can come off as slightly condescending.
Young people often shorten it to Otsu (おつ) in text messages or online gaming.
Usually, no. It's better to say Arigato gozaimashita (Thank you) to teachers, as Otsukaresama can feel a bit too 'equal' for that relationship.
It's a similar phrase but strictly for superiors to say to subordinates. If you say it to your boss, you might accidentally offend them!
Yes, many people use it as they walk into the office and see colleagues already at their desks.
Sometimes, if a parent comes home from a long day, a child might say Otsukaresama to show they appreciate the hard work.
Frases relacionadas
ご苦労様です
Good work (Used ONLY by superiors to subordinates)
お先に失礼します
Pardon me for leaving before you
お疲れ
Casual 'good job' or 'hey'
頑張ってください
Please do your best (encouragement)
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