お疲れ様でした。今日もありがとうございました。 — Thank you for your hard work today. I appreciate everything. (Workplace · Greeting, Polite to Colleague, JLPT N5)

Gesture & etiquette

Bow slightly (about 15-20 degrees) as you say goodbye; make brief eye contact; use a warm but contained smile — this phrase marks the formal end of a workday interaction.

Use 'お疲れ様でした' to colleagues or superiors at the end of the day — NEVER use 'ご苦労様でした' to superiors, as it implies you are their boss; this hierarchy error is one of the most common and embarrassing mistakes for non-native speakers.