Question
I’m in Japan for a business meeting, and I want to show appreciation to my Japanese colleagues during our lunch. How do I say, “Thank you for your hard work” in Japanese?
Japango Editor Team
お疲（つか）れ様（さま）です。
Otsukare sama desu.
Thank you for your hard work.
This phrase is commonly used in Japanese workplaces to express gratitude and acknowledgment of someone’s effort. Otsukare sama desu can be used as a greeting at the end of the workday, during breaks, or when finishing a task. It conveys respect and appreciation for the effort your colleagues put into their work. You can use it in professional settings or when interacting with Japanese friends and acquaintances in casual settings. It’s a versatile phrase that helps build rapport and shows that you respect their hard work.
