ございます

ご

ざ

い

ま

す

Common word›JLPTN1›

Meanings

expression

to be; to exist

polite (teineigo)›usually written using kana alone

Very polite ます-form corresponding largely to あります, used for the existence or location of things, services, information, etc. In 〜でございます, it functions as a very polite 'is/are.'

Grammar

ございます・でございますVery polite existence and identificationN4

Kanji

御honorable, manipulate, govern
座squat, seat, cushion

Politeness

あるplainN5sense 1
ある is the plain, neutral verb for existence or possession, while ございます is its very formal, deferential form used in customer service and ceremonial speech.
いらっしゃるhonorific 尊敬語N5sense 1
いらっしゃる is the honorific verb used for the existence, coming, or going of a person you respect, whereas ございます is used for things, places, or information, not people.
ですpolite 丁寧語N5sense 1
です is the ordinary polite copula 'is/am/are', while でございます (using ございます) is a more formal and deferential way of saying the same thing.
おるplainN4
ございます is the formal, polite verb typically used for the existence of inanimate things or in very formal announcements, while おる is used for animate beings and centers on humility rather than mere politeness.

Don't confuse with

ござる
ございます is the modern conjugated form actually used in speech and writing, while ござる itself is the archaic dictionary form that learners rarely need to produce.

Etymology

A modern polite ます-form of ござる, reflected by Cross-referenced with to 御座る. The kanji spellings are conventional but rare or search-only here; everyday writing is normally kana.