What Does "sugohaesseo" (수고했어) Mean in Korean?

This phrase is incredibly common in Korea, used to acknowledge effort and hard work. It's not just 'good job' but also carries a sense of 'I recognize what you put into this.' It's versatile: a boss might say it to an employee, a teacher to a student, or friends to each other. While it literally means 'you worked hard,' it often functions as a casual way to say 'thank you for your effort' or 'well done.' It's considered polite and appreciative when said from a superior to an inferior, or between equals. When said by an inferior to a superior, a more formal variant like '수고하셨습니다' (sugohasyeosseumnida) is preferred, or even avoided in favor of a different expression of gratitude.