労う
ねぎらう
to thank for one's efforts; to show appreciation
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Examples
社長は社員の苦労を労った。
しゃちょうはしゃいんのくろうをねぎらった。
The president thanked the employees for their hard work.
部長は部下の努力を労う言葉をかけた。
ぶちょうはぶかのどりょくをねぎらうことばをかけた。
The manager said a few words to thank his staff for their efforts.
試合の後、監督は選手たちを労った。
しあいのあと、かんとくはせんしゅたちをねぎらった。
After the match, the coach thanked the players for their efforts.
Common patterns
- 労をねぎらう
- to thank someone for their trouble
- 苦労を労う
- to acknowledge someone's hard work
- 労いの言葉
- words of appreciation
Memory tip
労う runs downward: a superior thanks the people who worked under them. Saying it to your own boss sounds presumptuous — use お疲れさまでした or ありがとうございます instead.
Kanji in this word
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What does 労う mean?