There is an expression in Persian. It literally means: "Don't be tired". The expression is used in these situations:
1) After a work is done, for example after a class is finished. Something like "call it a day".
2) While you see someone doing a hard work, it is a kind of showing respect to his perseverance. In this situation, the answer is "Thank you!".
I want to know if there is an equvalent of this expression in English, especially as to the second sense?
The good wishes for (2) could be 'Stick at it' or - again, quite informal - 'More power to you'. (This is a stereotypical stage-Irish greeting; I have no idea whether it's really used in Ireland.) I think the AmE for this situation would be 'Way to go'.
b
PS
'Work' is not countable in the context you gave. You could say 'After a task [or 'job' or 'day's work'] is done...'.
Last edited by BobK; 31-Jan-2007 at 13:33. Reason: Tweak format
Thank you Bob, it was a big help.
We have the expression "don't be tired" in my mother language too. But I'm not sure if it means "way to go" in English. When we say "don't be tired" to a person who's working hard, we are saying "take it easy, don't get stressed out." things like that. Is this what you meant, Donbelid?
Thanks.
No. By "don't be tired" we mean "you did a great job and I hope you are not tired" or "way to go" as Bob said. For take it easy we say "sakht nagir" which means "don't take it hard".
Very interesting!![]()
If somebody is still working when you are going home in England we would say, "Hey! don't work too hard." This is like saying you should be going home soon, but is also recognition of their commitment to the job.
Don't use "more power to you" in the States in this sort of situation. It has an implication of "you shouldn't/ it's pointless for you to do this thing you're doing, but if you really want to . . . "
"Way to go" is used after a task/job has been completed, but keep in mind that it's sort of juvenille - you wouldn't hear a boss saying that to an employee, for example (unless it was being used sarcastically).
"Good job" is used after a task/job; it's pretty generic and can be used in most situations.
"Keep up the good work" is used either during or after a task/job and can be used in most situations. This one is the closest I can think of to #2 in your first post. "Don't work too hard" is the closest translation, but I don't think it's common to say "Thanks" after it . . . unless it was your boss telling you, "Don't work too hard . . . take the rest of the day off!" :)
(A more common response to "Don't work too hard", as far as I know, is "Yeah, I'm about to finish up," or "Well, I have to get this done". Stuff like that.)