수고 (su-go, sugo) · 고생 (go-saeng, gosaeng)
수고 mainly expresses appreciation for someone's effort, while 고생 refers to the experience of hardship or difficulty itself.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
An expression used to appreciate or encourage someone’s effort or work
When to use
Expressing thanks, Encouragement, After task completion, Thanking for service
The nuance
Used to express gratitude or encouragement when someone has made an effort or completed a task. Suitable for acknowledging someone’s effort.
An expression used to describe experiencing or causing hardship and difficulty
When to use
Experiencing hardship, Undergoing tough work, Offering consolation, Long-term difficulty
The nuance
Used when someone has experienced or will experience a difficult or tough situation. Suitable for acknowledging hardship or offering consolation.
수고하셨습니다!
su-go-ha-syeoss-seup-ni-da!, su go ha syeoss seup ni da!
Correct use expressing gratitude and encouragement for someone’s effort.
고생하셨습니다!
go-saeng-ha-syeoss-seup-ni-da!, go saeng ha syeoss seup ni da!
Appropriate expression to acknowledge hardship and offer consolation.
수고가 많으셨네요, 힘들었겠어요.
su-go-ga man-eu-syeoss-ne-yo, him-deul-eoss-gess-eo-yo., su go ga man eu syeoss ne yo, him deul eoss gess eo yo.
수고 is mainly for appreciation or encouragement; 고생 is more natural to express hardship.
고생 많으셨습니다, 정말 감사합니다.
go-saeng man-eu-syeoss-seup-ni-da, jeong-mal gam-sa-hap-ni-da., go saeng man eu syeoss seup ni da, jeong mal gam sa hap ni da.
Natural sentence acknowledging hardship while expressing thanks.
고생해 주세요, 오늘 회의 준비 부탁해요.
go-saeng-hae ju-se-yo, o-neul hoe-ui jun-bi bu-tak-hae-yo., go saeng hae ju se yo, o neul hoe ui jun bi bu tak hae yo.
고생 refers to experienced hardship; use 수고 when requesting effort politely.
수고해 주세요, 이 서류를 검토해 주세요.
su-go-hae ju-se-yo, i seo-ryu-reul geom-to-hae ju-se-yo., su go hae ju se yo, i seo ryu reul geom to hae ju se yo.
Correct example using 수고 to politely request effort.
오늘 고생 많으셨어요, 푹 쉬세요.
o-neul go-saeng man-eu-syeoss-eo-yo, puk swi-se-yo., o neul go saeng man eu syeoss eo yo, puk swi se yo.
Sentence offering both consolation and encouragement after a hard day.
Which expression is appropriate to console someone after hardship?
Which expression do you use to thank a colleague who finished work well?
Which phrase is appropriate to politely request someone’s effort?
