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Japanese Versatility List

Around the office

Conversation phrases, Stage 4chunk 10 of 23Errands and service

Greet coworkers, head home before others and come back from going out.

Mix-ups Gokurousama goes to juniors or workers, so saying it to a senior instead of otsukaresama is rude.

otsukaresama desu

hello; thanks for your hard work (between coworkers)

The all-purpose work greeting: passing a coworker, starting a call or message, coming back to the office.

Friends say otsukare after a club, a shift or a long day.

casual

otsukaresama desu. kaigi, mou hajimatte imasu ka?

Hi. Has the meeting started yet?

お疲れ様です。会議、もう始まっていますか？

Written お疲れ様です · おつかれさまですWho you say it and hear itHeard 90× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

osaki ni shitsurei shimasu

I'll be leaving now, before you

Said to coworkers still working when you leave; they answer otsukaresama deshita.

Also for leaving a party or meeting early.

casual

kyou wa kore de, osaki ni shitsurei shimasu.

That's it for me today. I'll head off before you.

今日はこれで、お先に失礼します。

Written お先に失礼します · おさきにしつれいしますWho you say itHeard 8× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

tadaima modorimashita

I'm back (at work)

Said on walking back into the office after going out; colleagues answer okaerinasai or otsukaresama desu.

At home just say tadaima.

casual

tadaima modorimashita. nanika arimashita ka?

I'm back. Did anything come up?

ただいま戻りました。何かありましたか？

Written ただいま戻りました · ただいまもどりましたWho you say itHeard 1× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

gokurousama desu

thanks for your trouble (to workers, juniors)

Said to delivery drivers, guards or juniors doing a job for you; not to your boss.

Said upward it sounds bossy; to anyone above you, use otsukaresama desu.

casual

samui naka, gokurousama desu.

Thanks for coming out in the cold.

寒い中、ご苦労様です。

Written ご苦労様です · ごくろうさまですWho you say it and hear itHeard 145× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

gokurousan

polite gokurousama desu

thanks for your trouble; good job

Casual thanks from a boss or older person to someone below them; you'll mostly hear it.

Only from higher to lower; never say it to your boss.

casual

kyou wa gokurousan. mou agatte ii yo.

Thanks for today. You can head home now.

今日はご苦労さん。もう上がっていいよ。

polite

ame no naka, gokurousama desu.

Thanks for coming out in the rain.

雨の中、ご苦労様です。

Written ご苦労さん · ごくろうさん · ご苦労様ですWho said to youHeard 55× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles