How to say "Good job" in Korean
The natural way Koreans say "Good job" — with the polite form, close alternatives, and audio for every line.
잘했어
jalhaesseo
Literally: You did well.
When to use it
Past tense, because you are praising something already done. Careful with the casual form - praising someone older sounds presumptuous in Korean.
Polite form
- 잘하셨어요jalhasyeosseoyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 수고했어sugohaesseo= Good work / thanks for your effortFor effort rather than result. Said at the end of a shift, a project, a long day. There is no clean English equivalent.
- 고생했어gosaenghaesseo= You went through a lotWarmer than 수고했어, for something that was genuinely hard.
- 최고야choegoya= You are the bestEnthusiastic praise between friends.
In a sentence
- 시험 잘 봤어? 잘했어!siheom jal bwasseo? jalhaesseo!Did the exam go well? Good job!
- 오늘 고생했어요.oneul gosaenghaesseoyo.You worked hard today.
Practise this one. These phrases are in the phrase quiz — five rounds, no sign-up. Not reading Hangul yet? Start with the alphabet in 20 minutes.
encouragement