Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
고생하셨습니다 go-saeng-has-yeot-seum-ni-da
A universal workplace sign-off that temporarily suspends hierarchical rank to acknowledge shared labor.
What does 고생하셨습니다 mean?
고생하셨습니다 (go-saeng-has-yeot-seum-ni-da) means: A universal workplace sign-off that temporarily suspends hierarchical rank to acknowledge shared labor.
Speakers use this phrase to mark the conclusion of a shared task, a meeting, or a workday. It appears frequently at the end of collaborative projects or when wrapping up collective duties. Colleagues exchange this expression regardless of rank to signal mutual recognition of effort.
Depending on the delivery, this can feel like a genuine expression of camaraderie, or at times, a formulaic courtesy used simply to hasten a departure.
Depending on the delivery, this can feel like a genuine expression of camaraderie, or at times, a formulaic courtesy used simply to hasten a departure.
Other sides of 고생하셨습니다
◆ The Instant Exit Strategy — Speakers use this expression as a standard closing formula when parting ways after completing a task, meeting, or workday together. It is delivered in polite polite-style (해요체) or formal polite-style (하십시오체) endings, marking a clean boundary that signals the interaction is finished. It frequently functions as a final sign-off in text messages, emails, or in-person departures, allowing parties to exit a conversation immediately without awkward trailing silences.
This phrase often reads as a polite conversational shield that signals an immediate end to an interaction, allowing speakers to exit a space or conversation without needing to invent an excuse.
◆ The Empathic Consolation — Speakers use this phrase to address individuals who have visibly completed a demanding task, endured a long wait, or finished a tiring day. It functions as a polite closing remark delivered at the end of an interaction where one party has put in notable effort. The expression carries the polite ending '-hasyeot-seum-ni-da' to maintain proper social distance while showing appreciation.
Among speakers witnessing someone's visible exhaustion, this can carry a deep layer of genuine sympathy rather than mere formality, making the listener feel truly seen and comforted after an ordeal.
This phrase often reads as a polite conversational shield that signals an immediate end to an interaction, allowing speakers to exit a space or conversation without needing to invent an excuse.
◆ The Empathic Consolation — Speakers use this phrase to address individuals who have visibly completed a demanding task, endured a long wait, or finished a tiring day. It functions as a polite closing remark delivered at the end of an interaction where one party has put in notable effort. The expression carries the polite ending '-hasyeot-seum-ni-da' to maintain proper social distance while showing appreciation.
Among speakers witnessing someone's visible exhaustion, this can carry a deep layer of genuine sympathy rather than mere formality, making the listener feel truly seen and comforted after an ordeal.
🎙️ 고생하셨습니다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [고생하셛씀니다]로 소리나요 (경음화, 받침규칙, 비음화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 오늘도 모두 고생하셨습니다.
o-neul-do mo-du go-saeng-has-yeot-seum-ni-da.
Everyone worked hard today as well.
💡 Spoken to a group of coworkers at the end of the workday. - 프로젝트 끝내느라 고생하셨습니다.
peu-ro-jек-teu kkeun-nae-neu-ra go-saeng-has-yeot-seum-ni-da.
You have worked hard on finishing the project.
💡 Spoken to a colleague after completing a major task. - 늦은 시간까지 고생하셨습니다.
neu-jeun si-gan-kka-ji go-saeng-has-yeot-seum-ni-da.
Thank you for your hard work until late.
💡 Spoken to someone who stayed late to finish work.
Related words in Social Situations
골치가 아프다 gol-chi-ga a-peu-da고래 싸움에 새우 등 터진다 Gorae ssaume saeu deung teojinda고생 끝에 낙이 온다 Gosaeng kkeute nagi onda과연 gwayeon귀에 못이 박히다 Gwi-e mot-i bakhida