Let's learn about "애 많이 썼어요"

애 많이 썼어요 : You put in a lot of effort; You worked really hard, so you deserve any compensation that I fully appreciate

고생 (많이) 하셨어요 : You worked (really) hard

* 애 has the following meanings

1) [짧고 높게 발음(short high tone)] [a short form of 아이] child; pl. children), (informal) kid; [=아기] baby; [=어린이{ youngster

2) [긹고 낮게 발음(long low tone]

(1) [=골칫거리•문제•곤란•괴롭힘; as the form of 애를 먹다•애를 먹이다] trouble;

- 타이어가 펑크 나서 애를 먹고 있다 : I am in a fix because I have a flat tire

(2) [=신경 쓰다; as the form of 애(를) 쓰다

- (내가) 지금 애 본다고 애 쓰고 있어. 그러니까 걱정 마 : I'm trying to see a kid right now, so don't worry

(3) [=초조한 마음; as the form of 애가 타다] 

- 그는 일이 뜻대로 되지 않아서 애가 탔다 : He was all upset that things didn't turn out the way he wanted

(4) [=노력•수고; as the form of 애(를) 쓰다] effort

<The followings are mainly used to the younger people or friends. that is to say, they rarely used to the elder people or the elderly>

- 애 썼다 = 수고했다 : Good job; You did a hard work

- 아주 애 썼다 = 아주 잘했다 = 정말 수고했다 : You did a great job; You did a great work (아주 = 정말 = 정말로 = 진짜 = 진짜로 = 너무 etc can be used to emphasize the sentences)

<The following raely used to the elder people or the elderly>

- 애 쓰셨습니다  애 많이 쓰셨습니다 : You did a hard work

[숙어(phrases)]

* 애(를) 쓰다 : bend over backwards

- 너는 사람을 돕는데 애를 써야 해 : You have to bend iver backwards to help people

* (특별히/너무/아주) 애를 쓰다 : go the extra mile

- 너 이번 작업(에) 무지 애(를) 썼구나 : You went the extra mile for the project

* (뭔가를) 하려고 애(를) 쓰다 : make an effort to do somethijg

- 나 무지 애 쓰고 있으니까 너무 다구치지 마 : I'm trying so hard. Don't push too much; I am making effrot to do it, Don't push so much

* 다구치다 : [=열심히 뭘 하라고 종용하다{ push someone to do something; urge someone to work hard

* 종용하다 : urge someone to do something; push someone to do something