🎬 Featured in K-Dramas: Hospital Playlist, Reply 1988, Itaewon Class
Korean: 고생했어요
Pronunciation (Romanization): gosaenghaesseoyo
Pronunciation (Japanese): ゴセンヘッソヨ
English Translation: You worked hard / Thank you for your effort
💡 What Does “고생했어요” Mean?
One of the most heartwarming phrases in Korean culture! 고생했어요 (gosaenghaesseoyo) is how Koreans acknowledge someone’s hard work and effort. It literally means “you suffered” or “you went through hardship,” but it’s used as a warm expression of appreciation and empathy. In Hospital Playlist, senior doctors say this to junior doctors after long shifts. In Reply 1988, parents say it to their children after exams. In Itaewon Class, Park Sae-ro-yi says this to his staff after closing time. This phrase is deeply embedded in Korean work culture and family relationships. Unlike simply saying “thank you” (고마워요), 고생했어요 acknowledges the effort and difficulty someone went through. It shows you recognize their struggle and appreciate their perseverance. Koreans use this constantly – after work meetings, study sessions, sports practice, group projects, or any collaborative effort. It creates a sense of shared experience and mutual respect. Foreign learners should know this is essential for workplace integration in Korea. Not using it can seem cold or ungrateful. The phrase reflects Korean values of hard work, endurance, and collective achievement.
🎵 Tone & Usage Tips
🔽 Gentle, warm falling tone: “고생했어요~” (sincere appreciation) → Used when: End of workday, after helping someone, completing a project → Voice: Soft, appreciative, slightly drawn out → Example: Boss to team members, teacher to students, parent to child 📢 Strong, grateful tone: “고생했어요!” (deep appreciation) → Used when: After difficult task, long project, challenging situation → Voice: Energetic, sincere, emphatic → Example: After overtime work, completing exam, finishing rehearsal 👥 Casual, friendly: “고생했어~” (dropping 요 with close friends) → Used when: Among peers, close colleagues, friends → Voice: Relaxed, informal, friendly → Example: Study group ending, gym buddies after workout The key is sincerity! Koreans can tell when you genuinely acknowledge their effort versus just saying it automatically. Make eye contact and mean it!
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