gozaimasu

Gozaimasu is a polite auxiliary verb in Japanese, used to express existence or state in formal speech. It is the polite present form of the classical verb gozaru, which is the honorific variant of aru (to exist). In modern usage, gozaimasu functions as a keigo (honorific) form and appears mainly in fixed expressions and formal contexts rather than in casual conversation.

Gozaimasu is most commonly encountered in greetings and polite phrases. Typical examples include ohayou gozaimasu (good morning) and arigatou gozaimasu (thank you very much). It is also found in other courteous statements and service interactions, where speakers wish to show higher politeness. Because it is a specialized honorific form, it is less common in everyday casual speech, where desu or plain forms suffice.

Grammatically, gozaimasu is a conjugatable verb within the gozaimasu-gozaru family of polite forms. The present polite form is gozaimasu; the past polite form is gozaimashita; the negative present form is gozaimasen, and the negative past form is gozaimasen deshita. Like other keigo expressions, its use signals a respectful relationship between speaker and listener.

Originating in classical Japanese, gozaimasu reflects the historical distinction between humble and honorific speech. Today it remains a standard feature of formal Japanese, particularly in customer service, academic writing, and polite conversation.