1.
is; am; are (polite formal copula)
The most polite form of the copula です, used in highly formal speech, customer service, ceremonies, and other contexts requiring maximum politeness.
こちらでございます。
It is this way. / Here it is.
The most formal copula in modern Japanese. It is the polite form of である and is significantly more formal than です. Originally ございます is the polite form of ある/ござる.
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- だ — plain
- です — polite
- でございます — very polite/formal
Usage
- Customer service: いらっしゃいませ。こちらが商品でございます。
- Phone answering: はい、山田でございます。
- Business: お時間は何時でございますか。
- Ceremonies and announcements
Common expressions
- ではございません — negative form (is not; very polite ではありません)
- でございましょうか — polite question form
- さようでございます — that is correct (very polite)
- おはようございます — good morning (contains ございます)
Similar words
Related Words
Keigo:
です (polite)