(つか)(さま)

おつかれさま
expression
good work; thank you for your hard work
1. good work; thank you for your hard work
An expression used to acknowledge someone's effort, commonly used when parting after work or finishing a task.
今日(きょう)もお(つか)(さま)でした。
Thank you for your hard work today.
Formal version with でした
(つか)(さま)(さき)(かえ)ります。
Good work, I'm heading home first.
「お(つか)(さま)」「お(つか)れ」
"Good work." "You too."
Casual exchange

(つか)(さま) is one of the most frequently used expressions in Japanese workplace culture.

FORMS:

  • (つか)(さま)です: polite (colleagues, general)
  • (つか)(さま)でした: past tense (end of work/meeting)
  • (つか)れ: casual (friends, peers)
  • (つか)れ〜: very casual

USAGE:

  • As a greeting when meeting colleagues
  • As a farewell after work
  • To acknowledge someone's effort
  • When finishing a project or meeting

NOTE: Often abbreviated to お(つか)れ or おつ in casual contexts.