御座います
To be, To exist (Polite)
Structure
Explanation
ございます is formed by combining the special verb ござる (which uses the kanji 御座る), and the auxiliary verb ます. This is a form of polite speech, and it serves as the formal equivalent of ある (or いる).
- おはようございます。Good morning. (Polite expression)
- 空いているお部屋はございますか。Do you have any vacant rooms?
The plain form, ござる, is seldom heard in everyday modern Japanese, as its polite version, ございます, is overwhelmingly preferred. Nevertheless, you will frequently encounter ござる in period dramas, manga, and various other media (especially those set in historical Japan).
- それがしが犯人でござる。I am the culprit.
Fun Fact
御座る essentially means 'to be' and can be used regardless of whether the subject is animate (which would normally take いる) or inanimate (which would normally take ある). When referring to people, however, the honorific language form いらっしゃる ('to be') is favored, as it shows more respect than standard polite speech. Because of this, ございます is often used to describe people in place of であります (the polite form of である).
- わたくしが受付の佐藤でございます。I am Sato, from the reception desk.
- 鈴木様でございますか？Are you Ms. Suzuki?
- 鈴木様でいらっしゃいますか。Are you Ms. Suzuki?
Note the use of で in these sentences. The combination でございます is considered a distinct grammatical pattern, which will be discussed in a separate grammar point.
Examples
ありがとう御座います。
Thank you very much. (polite expression)
お茶が御座います。
There is tea. (exists)
ご質問が御座います。
I have a question. (exists)
会議室があちらに御座います。
The meeting room is over there. (exists)
おめでとう御座います。
Congratulations! (polite expression)
受付は右側に御座います。
The reception desk is on the right side. (exists)
エレベーターはこちらに御座います。
The elevator is this way. (exists)
駐車場はこのデパートの地下に御座います。
The parking lot is in the basement of this department store. (exists)
パンフレットが御座いますので、お取りください。
There are pamphlets, so please take one. (exists)
すみません。空席は御座いません。
I am sorry. There are no empty seats. (does not exist)
お荷物はあちらのカウンターに御座います。
Your luggage is at the counter over there. (exists)