Working in Japan?
You’ve finally landed your dream job in Japan, and you want to make sure that you develop a warm relationship with your new Japanese colleagues. The key expression that you will have to learn is “otsukaresama desu” (お疲れ様です).
Don’t even try to translate it literally, as this is one of those Japanese expressions, like onegaishimasu, that will lose all its meaning when transposed directly into another language!
Meaning of お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu)
In お-疲れ-様, you can find the root 疲れる (tsukareru) which translates into ‘be or to get tired’. However, the meaning of the expression is quite different. In the workplace, お疲れ様です expresses the appreciation of your co-workers’ hard work.
The closest English translation would be “thank you for your hard work”, “good work” or more simply saying that “you’ve worked hard”. By saying お疲れ様です, you show your appreciation for a colleague’s work within your team or related to your company.
When to use お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu)
First of all, don’t be embarrassed. It might sound strange to repeat it several times a day every time you see your coworkers, but for your colleagues, it shows your desire to get closer and to respect Japanese work culture.
Situation 1 – Arriving at your workplace
In a situation when you would normally say “hi” or “How are you doing” to your colleague, replace it with お疲れ様です. The expression is proper when you arrive at work after your colleagues. Depending on the situation, it is also a perfect conversation starter or ending.
Situation 2 – In the workplace
You can use the expression in various situations, so it’s difficult to explain them all. Very often, internal meetings will end with everyone saying お疲れ様です as a way to thank all the participants.
Co-workers will thank each other for completing a task or when one of them returns from a meeting outside. お疲れ様です expresses the importance of teamwork in Japan. Japanese people believe everyone must feel recognized and part of the company.
You can even say the phrase when crossing the path of a colleague in your company’s hallway. It’s never too much!
Situation 3 – After work
The phrase is typically used after working hours when employees leave the office. The colleagues still working say goodbye with お疲れ様でした (otsukaresama deshita).
Japan is also known for nominication, a word born from 飲む to drink and the word “communication”. Traditionally, Japanese coworkers share drinks after work and in a more casual context, which helps to build a good work relationship.
If you are working or will be working in Japan, check out our Business Japanese Courses. They will help you with your business in Japanese!
Difference between です(desu) and でした (deshita)
Good question. The nuance is a bit tricky. When saying でした, you use the past form and imply that the work is “done”, “over”. If you were to leave a colleague to his task and say でした, you would literally say, “Thank you for your finished work,” although he’s still working on it! When in doubt, prefer the present phrase “otsukaresama desu”. Better being safe than rude.
Can I use お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu) outside of the Workplace?
Yes. Even outside your working environment, you could use the expression to greet some people you know well. However, the meaning would be a little different, closer to a simple Japanese greeting than an appreciation of their work day.
What About ご苦労様です (Gokurousama desu)?
The two expressions, お疲れ様 and ご苦労様 share the same meaning, showing the appreciation of someone’s hardship. However, the latter is less frequently used as it implies a social connotation and is always directed at subordinates. Simply speaking, your boss can thank you with ご苦労様です, but you will answer back with a respectful お疲れ様です.
In a more casual context and with your friends, you can simply use お疲れ or お疲れ様. Always remember to be careful with the level of politeness of Japanese. When in doubt, use keigo to be polite.
Let’s watch a video to recap what we have learned so far:
FAQ
What does "Otsukaresama desu" mean?
“Otsukaresama desu” translates to “Thank you for your hard work” or “Good work.” It’s used to express appreciation for someone’s efforts and to acknowledge their contributions in a professional setting.
When should I use "Otsukaresama desu" in the workplace?
You can use “Otsukaresama desu” in various situations, such as:
- Saying goodbye when leaving the office.
- Greeting colleagues during the day.
- Acknowledging someone’s hard work after completing a task or meeting.
What's the difference between "Otsukaresama desu" and "Otsukaresama deshita"?
“Otsukaresama desu” is present tense and often used during the workday. “Otsukaresama deshita” is past tense, used when work is finished or at the end of the day.
Can "Otsukaresama desu" be used outside of work?
Yes, it can be used in non-work settings like sports or events to show appreciation for someone’s effort.
How do I respond to "Otsukaresama desu"?
You can reply with “Otsukaresama desu” as well, returning the appreciation.
Is there a version used by superiors to subordinates?
Yes, “Gokurosama desu” (ご苦労様です) is used by superiors, but it’s not appropriate to use it toward someone of higher status.
Can it replace greetings like "Konnichiwa"?
In workplace settings, yes. It’s common to use “Otsukaresama desu” instead of “hello” when seeing coworkers.
Why is this phrase important in Japanese work culture?
It promotes mutual respect and recognition, reinforcing teamwork and a sense of community in the workplace.
Learn more about how to use complex polite phrases in our Business Japanese Course.
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