Tired Colleague? Korean Phrases for a Supportive Workplace
Hello! This is Daily Korean, here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever seen a colleague looking stressed or tired at work and wanted to say something encouraging, but didn’t know the right words in Korean? Today, we’re going to learn some essential phrases to help you create a positive and supportive atmosphere in the office.
These days in Korea, conversations around ‘work-life balance’ (known as 워라밸 [worabel]) and preventing burnout are more important than ever. Knowing how to show support to your teammates will not only make you a better colleague but also help you connect more deeply with Korean culture. Let’s dive in!
Core Expressions for the Office Hero
Here are three key phrases you can use to show you care.
1. 힘들죠? (It’s tough, isn’t it?)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Himdeuljyo?
- English Meaning: It’s tough, isn’t it? / You’re having a hard time, right?
- Detailed Explanation: This is a simple but powerful phrase to show empathy. It’s not a direct question asking for a solution, but a way of acknowledging someone’s struggle and letting them know you see their effort. It’s a gentle way to open a conversation and show you’re on their side. You can use this with colleagues you are friendly with.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The ending
~죠 (jyo)is a contraction of~지요 (jiyo). It’s used to confirm something you assume to be true or to soften a statement. When you say힘들죠?, it sounds much more natural and empathetic than asking힘들어요? (himdeureoyo?), which can sometimes sound like a direct interrogation.
2. 너무 무리하지 마세요. (Don’t overdo it.)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Neomu murihaji maseyo.
- English Meaning: Please don’t overwork yourself / Don’t push yourself too hard.
- Detailed Explanation:
무리하다 (murihada)means to overdo it or push oneself to an unreasonable extent. This phrase is a kind and polite way to express concern for someone’s well-being. It’s perfect for when you see a colleague staying late every night or skipping lunch to work. It shows you care about them as a person, not just a co-worker. - 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The key here is the
~지 마세요 (ji maseyo)grammar pattern, which means “Please don’t do (verb).” It’s a polite negative command. Notice the smooth connection between the sounds. Practice saying it as one fluid phrase rather than separate words:mu-ri-ha-ji-ma-se-yo.
3. 고생 많으셨어요. (You worked so hard.)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Gosaeng maneusyeosseoyo.
- English Meaning: You went through a lot / You worked really hard / Thank you for your hard work.
- Detailed Explanation: This is the ultimate phrase for acknowledging someone’s hard work after a difficult task is completed.
고생 (gosaeng)means hardship or trouble. So, you’re literally saying, “You had a lot of hardship.” It carries much more weight and sincerity than a simple “good job.” Use it after a big presentation, finishing a challenging project, or even at the end of a long, tiring day. - 💡 Pronunciation Tip: This one has a super important pronunciation rule! The word
많으셨어요is written with aㅎ (h)sound in the syllable많 (man). However, whenㅎis followed by a vowel (like으), it becomes silent! So, you don’t pronounce itman-heu-syeo-sseo-yo. Instead, it sounds like [마느셨어요 / ma-neu-syeo-sseo-yo]. Mastering this silentㅎwill make you sound incredibly natural!
Example Dialogue: At the Office
Let’s see how these expressions work in a real conversation. Min-jun is preparing for a big product launch.
- A (Sujin): 민준 씨, 아직 퇴근 안 했어요? 표정이 안 좋아 보여요.
(Min-jun, you haven’t left work yet? You don’t look so good.) - B (Min-jun): 아, 네. 발표 자료 때문에요. 아직 할 일이 많아서요.
(Ah, yes. It’s because of the presentation materials. I still have so much to do.) - A (Sujin): 요즘 계속 야근하는 것 같던데… 힘들죠?
(It seems like you’ve been working overtime continuously… It’s tough, isn’t it?) - B (Min-jun): 네, 솔직히 조금 지치네요.
(Yes, to be honest, I’m a bit exhausted.) - A (Sujin): 건강이 제일 중요해요. 너무 무리하지 마세요. 제가 도울 거라도 있으면 알려주세요.
(Your health is the most important thing. Please don’t overdo it. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.)
(The next day, after Min-jun’s successful presentation)
- A (Sujin): 민준 씨! 발표 정말 잘했어요! 어젯밤까지 준비하느라 고생 많으셨어요.
(Min-jun! The presentation was amazing! You worked so hard preparing until late last night.) - B (Min-jun): 정말요? 고맙습니다, 수진 씨. 어제 응원해 주셔서 힘이 났어요.
(Really? Thank you, Sujin. I felt energized because you cheered me on yesterday.)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In traditional Korean corporate culture, enduring long hours was often seen as a virtue. However, the MZ Generation (Millennials + Gen Z) in Korea is actively changing this narrative. They prioritize mental health and a clear boundary between work and personal life (워라밸).
Using phrases like “너무 무리하지 마세요” shows that you are a modern, considerate colleague who respects these new values. It signals that you see your teammates as people, not just productivity machines.
Furthermore, acknowledging effort with “고생 많으셨어요” is deeply ingrained in Korean culture. It’s a recognition of the process and the struggle, not just the final result. Saying this will earn you a lot of respect and appreciation from your Korean colleagues. It shows you have good “눈치 (nunchi)” – the subtle art of understanding social cues and others’ feelings.
Let’s Practice!
Time to check your understanding.
- Your colleague just finished a week-long business trip that was very tiring. What is the best thing to say to them?
- A) 힘들죠? (Himdeuljyo?)
- B) 고생 많으셨어요. (Gosaeng maneusyeosseoyo.)
- Fill in the blank. You see your friend studying for an important exam all night. You want to show you’re worried about their health.
- “시험도 중요하지만 건강이 우선이야. _______ _______ _______.”
- (The exam is important, but your health comes first. Please don’t overdo it.)
Great job today! Creating a supportive environment starts with small words of kindness.
Why not try using one of these phrases to encourage a friend this week? Leave a comment below telling us about your experience!
