お疲(つか)れ様(さま)でした

おつかれさまでした
expression
thank you for your work (when it is finished); goodbye (at the end of the day)
politegreetingwork
See also: お疲(つか)れ様(さま) (base form)
1. thank you for your work; good job; goodbye (said when work or a task is finished)
The past form of お疲(つか)れ様(さま), said to someone who has finished a piece of work, a meeting, an event, or the working day, and as the standard farewell when colleagues part. It is the usual reply to お先(さき)に失礼(しつれい)します.
今日(きょう)はお疲(つか)れ様(さま)でした。
Thank you for your work today.
「お先(さき)に失礼(しつれい)します」「お疲(つか)れ様(さま)でした」
'Excuse me for leaving first.' 'Good work today, see you.'
長(なが)い会議(かいぎ)、お疲(つか)れ様(さま)でした。ゆっくり休(やす)んでください。
Thank you for sitting through that long meeting. Please get some rest.

Usage

  • お疲(つか)れさまです: to someone still working, as a greeting during the day
  • お疲(つか)れ様(さま)でした: to someone whose work is over, and as a goodbye
  • Both are said in every direction, to superiors as well as juniors; ご苦労(くろう)様(さま)でした is only for subordinates

Common patterns

Related words

Related Words

Related: お疲(つか)れさまです (present form)
Related: お先(さき)に失礼(しつれい)します (excuse me for leaving first)
Compare: ご苦労(くろう)様(さま) (thanks for your work (to subordinates))
general
Added 2026.9.10 0:51 · Revised 2026.9.10 0:54
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