お・ご〜です／でしょうo/go ~ desu / deshou
O/go desu / deshou (お・ご〜です／でしょう) means “respectful description or question”.
Is this your first time using this facility?
Use お・ご〜です／でしょう for established respectful forms when describing or asking about another person’s actions or state.
In the course
How it works
The receptionist uses 「お・ご～です」 to show respect when talking about the guest’s actions or state.
Remove 「ます」 from 「持ちます」, then add 「お」 and 「です」 to make 「お持ちです」.
Words of Chinese origin often take 「ご」: change 「利用します」 to 「ご利用です」.
「お」 and 「ご」 have established combinations. This pattern cannot be applied directly to every verb.
「お困りです」 shows concern for someone who is having trouble. This pattern also describes states, not just ongoing actions.
At the counter, 「お持ちでしょうか」 gently asks whether the guest has their ID with them.
To check whether this is someone’s first time using the facility, ask 「初めてご利用でしょうか」.
The respect is directed toward the other person. Do not honor yourself; the guest can simply reply 「持っています」.
Example sentences
- こちらkochiraのno施設shisetsuはwa初めてhajimeteご利用goriyouでしょうdeshouか。ka。
Is this your first time using this facility?
- 利用riyou
In a conversation
- Aすみません、来館者の利用登録をしたいのですが、どちらの窓口でしょうか。
A: Excuse me, I'd like to register as a visitor. Which counter should I go to?
- B
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
Will you be hearing the explanation at that counter over there?
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
こちらの施設は初めて____でしょうか。
Is this your first time using this facility?
More grammar in this theme
- お・ご〜です／でしょうrespectful description or question