ざます

See also: さます

Japanese

Etymology

There are two leading theories for derivation.

From おざんす (ozansu) or ざんす (zansu, “to be”, humble): /ozansu/ → /zansu/ → /zamasu/[1][2][3]
From ござります (gozarimasu, archaic form of modern ございます (gozaimasu, “to be”, humble)): /ɡozarimasu/ → */ɡozamasu/ → /zamasu/[1][2]

Considering that zamasu is first cited to 1761,[1] while ozansu is not cited until 1778[4] and zansu in 1787,[5] and considering also the odd sound shift required from zansu to zamasu, the derivation directly from ござります (gozarimasu) appears more likely. That said, ozansu and zansu are also derivatives of ござります (gozarimasu).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): [d͡za̠ma̠sɨᵝ]

Verb

ざます • (zamasu)

[from 1761] (archaic, auxiliary) to be
Synonyms: だ (da), である (de aru), です (desu)
- c. 1761, Sato no Sora Yume no Yozakura:
  おやおや、おやおや、さうざますかえ。それはまあお仕(し)合(あわ)せ
  Oyaoya, oyaoya, sō zamasu kae. Sore wa mā o-shiawase
  Oh my, oh my, is that so? Well, that is a blessing
- 1863, Kawatake Mokuami, Sandaibanashi Kōza no Shinsaku:
  私(わたくし)もいっしょに死(し)にとうざます
  Watakushi mo issho ni shinitō zamasu
  I am going to die with you also
[from 1833] (archaic) to be
Synonyms: ある (aru), ございます (gozaimasu)
- 1833, Tamenaga Shunsui, Shunshoku Umegoyomi:
  世(せ)話(わ)をして上(あ)げゑしたのが、私(わちき)のあやまりでざますから
  Sewa o shite agewe shita no ga, wachiki no ayamari de zamasu kara
  I took care of it for you, because it is my mistake

Usage notes

The auxiliary attaches to the 連用形 (ren'yōkei, “continuative or stem form”) of a verb, similar to modern polite ending ます (-masu).

Originally this word was associated with prostitutes or lower class women during the Edo Period. It later came to be thought of as a polite or refined form to be used by lower class or upper class women.[1]

Conjugation

Conjugation of "ざます" (See Appendix:Japanese verbs.)

Stem forms
Imperfective (未然形)	－	－
Continuative (連用形)	ざまし	zamashi
Terminal (終止形)	ざます	zamasu
Attributive (連体形)	ざます	zamasu
Hypothetical (仮定形)	ざませ	zamase
Imperative (命令形)	ざませ	zamase
Key constructions
Passive	－	－
Causative	－	－
Potential	－	－
Volitional	－	－
Negative	－	－
Negative continuative	－	－
Formal	－	－
Perfective	－	－
Conjunctive	－	－
Hypothetical conditional	－	－

References

“ざます”, in 日本国語大辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten, “Nihon Kokugo Daijiten”)‎ (in Japanese), 2nd edition, Tōkyō: Shogakukan, 2000, →ISBN
1995, 大辞泉 (Daijisen) (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan, →ISBN
2006, 大辞林 (Daijirin), Third Edition (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Sanseidō, →ISBN
“おざんす”, in 日本国語大辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten, “Nihon Kokugo Daijiten”)‎ (in Japanese), 2nd edition, Tōkyō: Shogakukan, 2000, →ISBN
“ざんす”, in 日本国語大辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten, “Nihon Kokugo Daijiten”)‎ (in Japanese), 2nd edition, Tōkyō: Shogakukan, 2000, →ISBN

[KDJ2-1] “ざます”, in 日本国語大辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten, “Nihon Kokugo Daijiten”)‎ (in Japanese), 2nd edition, Tōkyō: Shogakukan, 2000, →ISBN

[DJS-2] 1995, 大辞泉 (Daijisen) (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan, →ISBN

[DJR-3] 2006, 大辞林 (Daijirin), Third Edition (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Sanseidō, →ISBN

[4] “おざんす”, in 日本国語大辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten, “Nihon Kokugo Daijiten”)‎ (in Japanese), 2nd edition, Tōkyō: Shogakukan, 2000, →ISBN

[5] “ざんす”, in 日本国語大辞典 (Nihon Kokugo Daijiten, “Nihon Kokugo Daijiten”)‎ (in Japanese), 2nd edition, Tōkyō: Shogakukan, 2000, →ISBN