synonym Comparative
ごくろうさま
VS
肉薄
Differences Between "ごくろうさま" and "肉薄"
Option A
ごくろうさま
Meaning
Thank you for your hard work; I appreciate your efforts
Reading
ごくろうさま (gokurōsama)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
長い道のり、ごくろうさまでした。
Thank you for your hard work on the long journey.
Option B
肉薄
Meaning
to close in on, to press hard, to nearly catch up with
Reading
にくはく (nikuhaku)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
彼はライバルに肉薄し、優勝争いを繰り広げた。
He pressed hard against his rival, engaging in a fierce competition for the championship.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(Thank you for your hard work; I appreciate your efforts)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- ごくろうさま: A polite expression of appreciation for someone's effort, typically used by a superior to a subordinate, or between colleagues when one has completed a task. It's generally less formal than お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu) and not used to superiors.
- 肉薄: Implies approaching someone/something very closely, often with a sense of pursuit, urgency, or intensity. Can be physical (e.g., an enemy) or abstract (e.g., a record, a secret). 敵や目標に間近に迫ること。
- ごくろうさま: A polite expression of appreciation for someone's effort, typically used by a superior to a subordinate, or between colleagues when one has completed a task. It's generally less formal than お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu) and not used to superiors.
- 肉薄: Implies approaching someone/something very closely, often with a sense of pursuit, urgency, or intensity. Can be physical (e.g., an enemy) or abstract (e.g., a record, a secret). 敵や目標に間近に迫ること。
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