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Languages Study | Languages of the East | Japanese
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Polite/Honorific Language (Keigo)
 
こちらの ワイシャツの ほうが 少し よろしゅう ございます。
This shirt is slightly better/preferable.


よろしゅう (Adverbial form of よろしい): This is the polite (Sonkeigo/Teineigo) version of いい (good) or よい.

〜ございます: This is the extra-polite form of あります/です.

The Rule:
When an -i adjective (like yoroshii) is followed by gozaimasu, it undergoes a sound change (Euphony):
Yoroshii becomes Yoroshuu.
Oishii becomes Oishuu (as in Oishuu gozaimasu).
Hayai becomes Hayau (as in Ohayou gozaimasu).
 
こちらの ワイシャツの ほうが 少しお高うございます。
This shirt is a little more expensive.

 

In this sentence, 「お高（たか）うございます」 is the extra-polite version of 「高いです」 (is expensive).
Just like the previous example (yoroshii → yoroshuu), the -i adjective changes its ending when combined with 〜ございます:

高い (Takai)  - Drop the 〜い , Add 〜う - 高（たか）う
Result: お高うございます (It is [a bit] expensive/high-priced).


Other Examples:
Standard (Polite)  / Extra-Polite (Gozaimasu form)  / Meaning
おいしいです - おいしゅうございます - It is delicious
早いです - はやうございます - It is early
うれしいです - うれしゅうございます - I am happy

This style is often used by staff in high-end department stores or traditional Japanese inns (Ryokan).
    Japanese 2008-2018-2023