Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 7: 15/18

で御座(ござ)いますTo be, Polite copula

Structure

だ ￫ でござる

Details

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    Polite

About でございます

As mentioned briefly in the ございます lesson, でございます is a structure which can be used as a replacement for であります, the polite form of である (which itself is the formal equivalent 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 polite of the two. Let's take a look at a few examples.

でござる may also be seen, as it is the base form of で + ございます a (special-class) verb. However, in modern Japanese, this is primarily restricted to historical dramas, or characters that have a somewhat 'quirky' personality.

Fun Fact

Using でございます to introduce yourself is considered quite polite, however, when referring to other people, いらっしゃる 'to be' is preferred, as honorific language is more respectful than polite speech.

Synonyms

Examples

--:--

    この方(かた)は田中(たなか)さんで御座(ござ)います。

    This is Mr. Tanaka.

    こちらが先生(せんせい)の机(つくえ)で御座(ござ)います。

    This is the teacher's desk.

    こちらは図書館(としょかん)で御座(ござ)います。

    This is the library.

    英語(えいご)担当(たんとう)の浜田(はまだ)で御座(ござ)います。

    (I am) head of English, Hamada.

    本日(ほんじつ)のスペシャルはホットケーキで御座(ござ)います。

    Today's special is pancakes.

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      でございます – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (6 in total)

      • BoxerDanc

        BoxerDanc

        Still can’t tell the difference between ございます and でございます. I understand でございます is more polite but when I need to fill in I just shoot for 50/50. Maybe if we need to answer でございます it should say “copula” in the hints?

      • distantflower

        distantflower

        One of my last lesson notes from Genki 2 and probably from Tokini Andy is that ございます/ござる is an Extra Modest Expression from ある, meanwhile でございます/でござる is from です.

        If I’ve got this note wrong somehow, someone please correct me as I’d love my notes to be fixed

      • BoxerDanc

        BoxerDanc

        Cool thanks, it appears I can’t read!

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