Polite to Colleague
Workplace · Greeting
お先に失礼します。お疲れ様でした。 — I'll be heading out now. Thank you for your hard work today. (Workplace · Greeting, Polite to Colleague, JLPT N5)
You
お先に失礼します。お疲れ様でした。
おさきにしつれいします。おつかれさまでした。
I'll be heading out now. Thank you for your hard work today.
Romaji: Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu. Otsukare sama deshita. / Reply Romaji: Otsukare sama deshita. Ki o tsukete.
Reply
お疲れ様でした。気をつけて。
おつかれさまでした。きをつけて。
You too. Take care on your way home.
Gesture & etiquette
Bow slightly to colleagues in the room as you leave. If the office is open-plan, a general bow to the room is fine. If your manager is present, bow more deeply (about 30 degrees) toward them specifically.
Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu is an apology for leaving before others — a cultural reflection of the Japanese collective work ethic where leaving first can imply you worked less. Always say both phrases; leaving silently is considered rude.