ございます

Japanese

Etymology

Formal (〜ます) form of archaic ござる, which is the polite form of ある.

Verb

ございます (romaji gozaimasu)

1. 御座います: polite form of the copula, ある.

Usage notes

Usage in polite speech varies between speakers. Primarily used only to indicate existence or location, as in:

食品売り場は地下にございます。

かばん売り場は１階でございます。

In principle でございます can be used anywhere です is used, but in usage this sounds very formal or stilted.