で御座います
To be, Polite copula
Structure
Explanation
As briefly covered in the ございます lesson, the pattern でございます can be used instead of であります, which is the polite form of である (the formal version of だ). Both です and でございます are considered polite speech; however, でございます is the more formal of the two. Let's look at some sentences.
- 出口はあちらでございます。The exit is that way.
- 本日の担当、サトウでございます。I am Sato, the person in charge today.
You might also encounter でござる, which is the dictionary form of the verb phrase で + ございます. In contemporary Japanese, though, its use is generally confined to period dramas or for characters with a deliberately old-fashioned or unique way of speaking.
- 拙者がムサシでござる。I am Musashi. (拙者 is an archaic pronoun for 'I', famously used by samurai.)
Fun Fact
While introducing yourself with でございます is very polite, when referring to other people (especially superiors or customers), it is more appropriate to use いらっしゃる ('to be'), as honorific language shows a greater degree of respect than polite speech.
Examples
こちらは会議室で御座います。
This is the conference room.
こちらの方が弊社の社長で御座います。
This is our company president.
お席は全て禁煙で御座います。
All seats are non-smoking.
この書類は大変重要で御座います。
This document is extremely important.
こちらが正しい鍵で御座いますか。
Is this the correct key?
次の停車駅は新宿で御座います。
The next stop is Shinjuku.
お釣りで御座います。
(Here is your) change.
こちらが当社の新製品で御座います。
This is our company's new product.
ただいま部長は会議中で御座います。
The department manager is in a meeting at the moment.
新しい受付の鈴木で御座います。
(I am) Suzuki, the new receptionist.
お電話ありがとうございます。帝国ホテルで御座います。
Thank you for calling. This is the Imperial Hotel.
お子様の入場料は無料で御座います。
Admission for children is free.