でございます

JLPT N4approx.Formal
Meaning
  1. 1A very polite 'am / is', used to state one's own name or identity in formal or business settings.Ex. 1
  2. 2A very polite 'is / are', used to point out, present or describe things to customers or guests.Ex. 2
Formation
Noun+でございます
na-adj. stem+でございます静かでございます
PastNounna-adj. stem+でございました
NegativeNounna-adj. stem+ではございません
ConjectureNounna-adj. stem+でございましょう
QuestionNounna-adj. stem+でございますかでございましょうか
Examples
本日ほんじつ担当たんとういたします、田中たなかでございます。
I'm Tanaka, and I'll be taking care of you today.
お探さがしの商品しょうひんはこちらでございます。
The item you are looking for is right here.
Usage

でございます is a very polite copula typical of shop staff, receptionists, telephone calls, announcements and ceremonies, where です would sound too plain. It is polite speech rather than a humble or respectful form, so it can describe oneself, things, or other people. When stating a respected person's identity or status, the respectful でいらっしゃいます is often preferred because it also elevates that person.

Watch out

Do not attach でございます directly to an い-adjective; おいしいでございます is incorrect, and the formal form is おいしゅうございます.

Note that when confirming a customer's identity, 田中様でいらっしゃいますか is often preferred, though 田中様でございますか is also used.

Learners who use でございます in casual conversation with friends will sound stiff or even sarcastic.

Easily confused with
  • ございますN4「ございます」has a wider range of uses: while 「でございます」only corresponds to 「です」, 「ございます」can also serve as the formal version of 「あります」(「〜がございます」) or attach to the u-onbin form of i-adjectives (e.g., 「高うございます」).
  • だ / ですN5「です」is the standard polite style and 「だ」the plain style; with nouns and na-adjectives, 「でございます」can be replaced by 「です」, which simply lowers the level of formality. However, 「です」attaches directly to i-adjectives, while 「でございます」does not.
  • でしょうN5「でございます」makes a formal assertion, whereas 「でしょう」expresses conjecture or confirmation with rising intonation — not an assertion — so the two are not interchangeable. 「でしょう」also attaches to the plain forms of verbs and i-adjectives, is stylistically neutral, and is not limited to service situations.
  • いらっしゃるN4「いらっしゃる」is an honorific meaning 'to be, to go, to come.' Only 「noun/na-adjective stem + でいらっしゃる」is close to this pattern and is used for the other person; for yourself or for things, use 「でございます」— the two are not interchangeable.
  • なさるN4「なさる」is the honorific form of 「する」, elevating the actions of the listener or a third party, and it attaches to noun + を, Sino-Japanese verbal nouns, and the like; 「でございます」is merely the formal version of 「です」, expressing only judgment or explanation without elevating anyone. The two are not interchangeable.

でございます is the very polite counterpart of the copula だ/です (and でございましょう corresponds to でしょう), while ございます alone is the polite form of ある, meaning 'there is / have'. いらっしゃる (as でいらっしゃる) and なさる are respectful forms that elevate the person being described, whereas でございます adds politeness toward the listener without elevating anyone.

Grammar · JLPT grammar levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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