ごんす

expression

to be; to exist

Archaic polite abbreviation of 御座んす (ござんす), itself a variant of ございます. Used as a humble or polite copula/existential verb, mainly in Edo-period speech.

See also: 御座んす

• 「ここにごんす」と、昔むかしの人ひとは言いった。

  People in the old days said, 'I am here' (using ごんす).

expression

to come; to be (somewhere)

Archaic honorific abbreviation of 御座んす. Used for the respectful 'to come' or 'to be (in a place)', mainly in historical or period speech.

• お殿との様さまがごんすまで、ここで待まとう。

  Let us wait here until the lord comes (using ごんす).