How to Say ‘(polite add-on; makes expressions more formal)’ in Japanese
ございます
gozai masu
[goh-ZAI mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: [ございます] is a very polite verb used in set phrases like [ありがとうございます]. It boosts politeness rather than adding new meaning.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Service Japanese leans formal. You’ll hear [ありがとうございます] and even [ありがとうございました] constantly in shops.
Phrase Breakdown
ござい
gozai
[goh-ZAI]
to be (polite/humble); to exist (stem)
Part of the very polite expression ありがとうございます. By itself, it appears as ござい＋ます.
ありがとうございます。
Thank you very much.
ます
masu
[mahss]
(polite verb ending)
Makes the phrase polite. ござい＋ます forms ございます.
ありがとうございます。
Thank you very much.
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