How to Say ‘Polite ending for greetings’ in Japanese
ございます
gozai masu
[go-zah-ee mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: [ございます] is a very polite version of [ある]/[です]-type wording, and often appears in set phrases like [おはようございます] and [ありがとうございます]. You usually learn it as part of whole expressions rather than using it freely on its own.
Phrase Breakdown
ござい
gozai
[go-zah-ee]
to be; to exist (polite stem)
The polite stem of ございます, used in very polite expressions such as greetings and formal speech.
店員がご案内がございましてと言った。
The store clerk said, "There is some guidance/information."
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending
A standard polite ending attached to verb stems to make speech formal.
先生に今行きますと言った。
I said to the teacher, "I am going now."
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