What does 수고하세요 mean?

수고하세요 (su-go-ha-se-yo, sugohaseyo)

수고하세요 (sugohaseyo) is a polite expression recognizing someone's effort. Common in daily and business contexts.

Korean phrase 수고하세요 written in Hangul

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

수고하세요(su-go-ha-se-yo, sugohaseyo)

수고하세요 is the polite form of the verb '수고하다', used to acknowledge or encourage someone's effort or hard work.

Nuances

  • Includes gratitude and encouragement beyond simple greeting
  • Polite farewell in business
  • Expression acknowledging others’ effort
  • Can be used after requests or favors

When to use

Workplace, Service industry, Parting with friends

In context

수고하세요 is mainly used as a greeting or farewell to acknowledge ongoing or completed effort. It is polite and suitable for formal or respectful situations.

Real-world examples

  • 회의가 끝났으니 수고하세요.

    hoe-ui-ga kkeut-nass-eu-ni su-go-ha-se-yo., hoe ui ga kkeut nass eu ni su go ha se yo.

    Appropriate to acknowledge effort after the meeting ends.

  • 수고하세요, 좋은 하루 되세요.

    su-go-ha-se-yo, joh-eun ha-ru doe-se-yo., su go ha se yo, joh eun ha ru doe se yo.

    Natural as a daily farewell.

  • 수고하세요! 지금부터 시작할게요.

    su-go-ha-se-yo! ji-geum-bu-teo si-jak-hal-ge-yo., su go ha se yo! ji geum bu teo si jak hal ge yo.

    Using it before starting is awkward because it acknowledges effort already made.

  • 고생했어요, 수고하세요.

    go-saeng-haess-eo-yo, su-go-ha-se-yo., go saeng haess eo yo, su go ha se yo.

    Using it with 'You worked hard' expresses encouragement.

  • 수고하세요, 다음에 또 봐요.

    su-go-ha-se-yo, da-eum-e tto bwa-yo., su go ha se yo, da eum e tto bwa yo.

    Polite and appropriate as a farewell.

  • 수고하세요! 지금부터 쉬세요.

    su-go-ha-se-yo! ji-geum-bu-teo swi-se-yo., su go ha se yo! ji geum bu teo swi se yo.

    Does not fit with telling someone to rest since it implies ongoing effort.

Quick quiz

  1. In which situation is ‘수고하세요’ mainly used?

    ‘수고하세요’는 어떤 상황에서 주로 사용하나요?(‘su-go-ha-se-yo’neuneo-tteonsang-hwang-e-seoju-rosa-yong-ha-na-yo?, ‘sugohaseyo’neuneotteonsanghwangeseojurosayonghanayo?)
  2. Which sentence correctly uses ‘수고하세요’?

    다음 중 ‘수고하세요’ 사용이 올바른 문장은?(da-eumjung‘su-go-ha-se-yo’sa-yong-iol-ba-reunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung‘sugohaseyo’sayongiolbareunmunjangeun?)
  3. What is the polite form of ‘수고하다’ used in ‘수고하세요’?

    ‘수고하세요’의 존댓말 형태는?(‘su-go-ha-se-yo’uijon-daes-malhyeong-tae-neun?, ‘sugohaseyo’uijondaesmalhyeongtaeneun?)

More meaning guides

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