Page 468 - Basic Japanese
P. 468
9.15. gozaru
The verb gozaru is the honorific equivalent of the neutral
verb aru ‘exists’; it is neither specifically humble nor
specifically exalted, just generally honorific. In modern
speech it never actually occurs in any plain forms—you
don’t hear gozaru. You hear gozaimasu in set phrases and
within a sentence:
O- Good morning.
hayō gozaimasu.
Thank you.
Arigatō gozaimasu.
I’m terribly sorry.
Mōshiwake gozaimasen.
O-kane ga gozaimashitara kifu o o-negai itashimasu.
If you have the money, please donate some for
us.
Takusan gozaimasu kara, dōzo go-enryo nasaranai de
kudasai.
Because there’s lots, please don’t feel shy (i.e.
about helping yourself).
Gozaimasu is also used after the honorific infinitive form of
the adjective as in Takō gozaimasu ‘It is expensive.’ (See 9.13)
Just as gozaimasu (gozaru) is the general honorific equivalent
of the neutral verb aru, the expression de gozaimasu (de gozaru)
