When learning Japanese, you will quickly encounter the phrase “arigato gozaimasu” – a polite way to say “thank you.” “Arigato” means “Thank you,” but then, what exactly is the meaning of “gozaimasu”? When taken together, how does it affect the meaning of “arigato gozaimasu”?
Table of Contents- What Exactly Does Gozaimasu Mean?
- Arigato Gozaimasu – A Polite “Thank You” in Japanese
- Other Common Phrases
- Gozaimasu vs Gozaimashita (Present vs. Past Polite)
- Pronunciation and Spelling
- Conclusion
1. What Exactly Does Gozaimasu Mean?
ございます (gozaimasu) is a Japanese term that essentially means “to be” or “to exist” in a very polite form. It originates from the verb gozaru (ござる), which is an old-fashioned humble form of aru (ある, “to be/to exist”). In modern Japanese, people almost always use the fixed polite form rather than “gozaru” (which sounds old-fashioned).
To put it simply, gozaimasu doesn’t translate to a concrete noun or action on its own – instead, it adds politeness to a phrase. You can think of it as a formal equivalent of words like desu or arimasu (“is/exists”) in certain contexts. For example, you could use “gozaimasu” instead of “arimasu” to sound more formal. In general use, it is often part of polite phrases instead of being a standalone verb.
2. Arigato Gozaimasu – A Polite “Thank You” in Japanese
The phrase ありがとう ございます (arigato gozaimasu)’s meaning is the classic example. You might also occasionally see the phrase in kanji as “有難う御座います”, but it’s not common. By adding “gozaimasu,” the phrase changes from a casual “thank you” to a polite “thank you very much.“
Japanese culture values respectful language (敬語 keigo). This is especially important when talking to strangers, elders, or those of higher social rank. You can say “arigato” to close friends and family, or people of the same or lower status.
However, when expressing thanks to a stranger, someone older, or in any formal situation, you should use “arigato gozaimasu”. For example, when speaking with store clerks, waiters, teachers, or colleagues senior to you. It signals that you are being respectful and appreciative, which is highly valued. In fact, it’s arguably the best way to say thank you in Japanese because it works in any situation.
Beyond just meaning “thank you,” its inclusion adds a nuance of formality and humility. This shows that you recognize kindness or help with respect. It is a small phrase that helps build connections through mutual respect in Japanese interactions.
3. Other Common Phrases
Gozaimasu isn’t only for thank-yous – it appears in several everyday greetings and expressions to make them polite:
おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu)
This means “Good morning” in a respectful or formal tone. The casual word for morning greeting is ohayou (おはよう), which comes from hayai (“early”). The literal meaning is “It is early,” but it functions as a polite “good morning”. You’ll often hear the phrase in workplaces, schools, stores, and other settings where you need to be polite.
おめでとうございます (Omedetou gozaimasu)
This means “Congratulations”. Omedetou (おめでとう) is the casual word for “congratulations” (derived from medetai, “auspicious” or “happy”). So if a friend had a wedding or someone just graduated, you’d say this phrase to congratulate them formally. Literally, it’s like saying “It is happy/auspicious,” referring to the occasion.
(X) de gozaimasu
This means “it is (X),” it is more polite than “(X) desu.” For example, if you answer the phone or introduce yourself formally, you could say, “Watashi wa [Name] de gozaimasu.” Because it sounds stiff, this use is not common beyond announcements or the service industry.
Arimasu → gozaimasu
You might encounter this phrase in formal situations. For example, a sign or attendant might say “~ ga gozaimasu” instead of “~ ga arimasu” to mean “there is/are ~”. If you ask a shop clerk if something is in stock, they might respond “hai, gozaimasu,” meaning “Yes, we have it.” Here, gozaimasu humbly confirms the item’s existence.
Not every single phrase can use gozaimasu as a suffix. For example, konnichiwa and konbanwa – “hello/good afternoon” and “good evening” – do not pair with gozaimasu, as they are fixed expressions on their own. But many greetings and set phrases do use it, as we’ve seen.
4. Gozaimasu vs Gozaimashita (Present vs. Past Polite)
New learners often notice another form: “ございました” (gozaimashita). This is the past tense form of the verb. How does this change things? Let’s look at an example:
- ありがとうございました (Arigatou gozaimashita) – This means “thank you,” in the past tense. It’s used for something that has already happened, or is now finished. In practice, you use this in situations like leaving a store or when someone just finished helping you and you’re parting ways. For instance, after a service, like a tour or a meal, it’s polite to say “arigatou gozaimashita.”
So, gozaimasu vs gozaimashita comes down to timing and context. Neither is “more polite” than the other, they’re just different tenses of the same polite verb. However, using the correct one shows you understand context. Using the past tense in these cases shows that you feel grateful for what someone has done.
Other phrases in past form: You won’t see ohayou gozaimashita, since you wouldn’t normally say “it was early” as a greeting. With these phrases, the main one to remember is arigatou gozaimashita. Paying attention to tenses will make your Japanese sound more natural and thoughtful.
5. Pronunciation and Spelling
One important point is that the “u” at the end is often quiet or silent. In natural speech, people often drop the “u” sound in verbs that end in “-masu.” So, the pronunciation sounds more like “gozaimas.”
Don’t stress about fully pronouncing the “u” – saying “gozai-mass” is perfectly correct. For example, when you hear store clerks say it, it might even sound like “gozaimasssss” with a drawn-out -mas and no audible “u.” This is normal.
A polite thing to do is accompany the phrase with a slight bow or nod – body language reinforces your polite words. Even if your accent isn’t perfect, people will understand your intention.
6. Conclusion
In Japanese, gozaimasu is much more than a verb meaning “to be” – it’s a cornerstone of polite speech. For beginner learners and travelers, remember that using gozaimasu in your phrases is an easy way to sound polite.In summary, when you use gozaimasu in your speech, you’re doing more than just saying a word. You are speaking with the same politeness that is so important in Japanese communication.
If you would like to learn more about the Japanese language, from basic grammar to practical phrases for any occasion, you’ll find a lot more useful content on JapanesePod101.com. Together with the JapanesePod101 podcast channel, our variety of free lessons and materials will help you improve your Japanese skills in every key area.
Our personal 1-on-1 coaching service, MyTeacher, is also available when you subscribe to a Premium PLUS membership with us. Your private teacher will help you practice pronunciation, and you’ll get personalized feedback and advice to help you improve more efficiently. Learn Japanese faster and enjoy studying at JapanesePod101.com.
