Japanese grammar
What does ～でございます mean? Japanese grammar N4
～でございます means it is ~ (ultra-polite form of です).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + でございます ある → ございます いい → よろしゅうございます (very formal, rarely used) |
| Romaji | ~ de gozaimasu |
| Meaning | it is ~ (ultra-polite form of です) |
Forming it
| Negative | N + ではございません |
|---|---|
| Affirmative | N + でございます |
| Question form | N + でございますか (but when asking a customer, use でいらっしゃいますか) |
How to use it
Replacing です in service, business, or formal announcement situations.
- でございます belongs to the POLITE LANGUAGE branch, not honorific language. It doesn't elevate anyone, it just makes the sentence more formal for the listener. So it can be used for both objects and oneself.
- Scale: だ → です → でございます. The last level sounds very "professional," typical of hotel staff, receptionists, call centers, flight attendants.
- A subtle trap that even Japanese people get wrong: when ASKING about a superior's identity, you must use でいらっしゃいますか (honorific), not でございますか. Because asking about SOMEONE ELSE requires elevating them. Conversely, introducing yourself uses でございます.
- Context: only used in service/formal situations. Using it with friends sounds like you're doing comedy.
Examples
はい、営業部の Nam でございます。
Yes, this is Nam from the sales department.
トイレは二階でございます。
The restroom is on the second floor.
申し訳ありませんが、その色はございません。
I am very sorry, but we do not have that color.
Keep in mind
- ございます by itself = the formal form of あります: 二階にございます (it's on the second floor).
- Standard Japanese company phone greeting: はい、ABC でございます — "hello, this is ABC speaking".
Common mistakes
-
Wrong田中様でございますか。
Are you Mr. Tanaka?
Correct田中様でいらっしゃいますか。
Asking a CUSTOMER's identity must be honorific with でいらっしゃる. でございます is only used when talking about yourself or objects.
-
Wrong今晩、友達の家に行くでございます。
Tonight I will go to my friend's house.
Correct今晩、友達の家に行きます。
でございます connects to a NOUN, not directly to a verb. A verb only needs ます to be polite enough.
Exam tips
- A pair worth memorizing: でございます (myself/objects) ↔ でいらっしゃいます (a superior).