Hello, today’s Japanese phrase is ‘お疲れ様です‘.
If you are planning on working in Japan, you should know this phrase because you will definitely use it in a Japanese workplace.
‘お疲れ様です’ is a greeting word frequently used in a workplace like “Hello” or “Hi” . Literally, it means “Thanks for your hardworking.”
We can use ‘お疲れ様です’ any time during the day. When we finish working and are ready to leave the office, we tend to say ‘お疲れ様でした‘. This means “Goodbye” or “See you”.
[Example 1] Passing your co-worker on the corridor at work.
SATO: お疲れ様です。
Otsukaresamadesu. (with a little bow)
SUZUKI: お疲れ様です。
Otsukaresamadesu. (with a little bow)
[Example 2 ] Leaving your work at the end of the day
A: すみません。お先に失礼します。[Sorry, I’m leaving first.]
Sumimasen. Osakini shitsurei shimasu. (with a little bow)
B: お疲れ様でした。
Otsukaresama deshita. (with a little bow)
You may have heard similar phrases such as ‘お疲れ様‘ or ‘お疲れ’ on Japanese TV drama series or real situations. These are just shortened versions of ‘お疲れ様です’ and sound more friendly or informal.
Please note that some people think this phrase is used by a person of higher professional/social rank to address another of lower rank, such as a boss to an employee, you should avoid using this phrase.
Does that make sense?
Ok, this is the end of today’s lesson. ‘お疲れ様でした’
