Translation guide
How to express praise, approval, or acknowledgment of a job well done in Japanese, depending on context and relationship.
You want to tell someone they did a good job, often after completing a task.
A standard, polite way to say 'well done' or 'good job,' often used by teachers or superiors. Literally 'you did well.'
宿題、よくできました。
Good work on your homework.
Common workplace phrase acknowledging someone's effort. Used when someone finishes work or a task. Implies 'thank you for your hard work.'
You want to casually acknowledge someone's effort, often as a greeting or when parting.
You want to compliment the quality of something someone made or did.
Direct translation of 'good work,' used for tangible results like art, writing, or a project.
このデザイン、いい仕事だね。
This design is good work.
お疲れ様 is safe for peers and superiors, while ご苦労様 is only for subordinates. Using ご苦労様 to a boss is rude.
部長、お疲れ様です。
Good work, manager. (polite)
新人君、ご苦労様。
Good work, newbie. (from a superior)
Directly translating 'good work' as 良い仕事 (よいしごと) is not natural for praising effort. Use よくできました or お疲れ様 instead.
今日もお疲れ様です。
Good work today.
Casual, direct praise among friends or to someone of lower status. Literally 'you did well.'
よくやった！すごいね。
Good work! That's amazing.
Means 'wonderful' or 'splendid.' Can be used alone to praise a result.
素晴らしい仕事ですね。
Good work. (lit. Wonderful work.)
Casual version of お疲れ様です. Used among colleagues or friends after work or practice.
お疲れ様、また明日。
Good work, see you tomorrow.
Used by superiors to subordinates. Can sound condescending if used inappropriately. Less common in modern workplaces.
Avoid using to superiors or colleagues; it implies a hierarchical relationship.
ご苦労様。今日はもう帰っていいよ。
Good work. You can go home now.
Means 'you did it skillfully.' Often used with children or for creative tasks.
絵が上手にできたね。
Good work on the drawing.