What does 수고했어요 (sugohaesseoyo) mean?
- 수고했어요sugohaesseoyo
Good work / Thanks for your effort
Polite: safe with most people
수고했어요 (sugohaesseoyo) means "good work" or "thanks for your hard work" in Korean. People say it at the end of a work day, a project or an exam to recognize someone's effort. It is polite but warm.
Where it comes from
수고 (sugo) means hard work or trouble taken, 하다 means "to do," and 했어요 is its polite past form. Literally it is "you worked hard."
How to use 수고했어요
You will hear it when coworkers leave the office, after a performance, or when someone finishes something tiring.
In traditional etiquette, saying 수고했어요 to a boss or someone much older can sound like you are judging their work. Many people do say 수고하셨습니다 to seniors, but 감사합니다 is the safest choice.
The casual form, 수고했어, is common between friends, for example after exams.
Examples
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End of a long work day
A team leader after a project wraps
Picking up a cousin after their exam
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 수고했어 | Good job | Casual, for friends and juniors. |
| 수고하셨습니다 | Thank you for your hard work | Formal and honorific. |
| 수고 많았어요 | You worked really hard | Warmer, stresses the effort. |
| 수고하세요 | Keep up the good work | Said when leaving someone who is still working. |
Questions learners ask
Can I say sugohaesseoyo to my boss?
It is common at work, but some people feel it sounds like judging a senior's work. 수고하셨습니다 is more respectful, and 감사합니다 is always safe.
What is the difference between sugohaesseoyo and sugohaseyo?
수고했어요 is past tense and praises effort already done. 수고하세요 is said when you leave someone who is still working.