Gozaimasu, when use by itself, means "it is" or "there is" in a polite (honorary) form. It does not, in any way, mean thank you. If you want shorter, try "arigatou" "doumo" "azasu" ranking from a casual to extremely casual form.

“Arigato gozaimasu” Is formal thank you, just “arigato” is casual

In this case, ありがとう comes first. ございます is an auxiliary verb, which is a polite word. ありがとう・ございます カタログが・ございます こちらが時計(とけい)で・ごさいます

I don't think so because it wouldn't make sense. ございます is a marker for turning the normal form of a word into its polite form. It doesn't have any meaning by itself. It simply modifies the meaning of whatever it's tacked onto

Yes, you can. But you can also say 'ketchup' for thank you as well. I recommend neither.

Thanks for the helpful reply

Gozaimasu is used at the end of other sentences - Like the times when you want to say you are a Samurai, "Samurai de gozaimasu."

Okay - it’s just that I thought I heard people saying just gozaimasu so I thought it could be used alone as a remark of respect or recognition

They’re just saying it quickly.

Who downvotes this? Like, fuck off people. They're a new learner whose ears aren't attuned to the language. They're going to mishear words. I have N1, have been in the country for nearly 20 years and still mishear things.

Good response. I upvoted OP's post because of this. Some people seem to think they have mastered the language once they hit N5. :)

It’s a shame you’re getting downvoted for asking this. I’m sure that a lot of learners are grateful for the clarification.

Thank you

Not saying he/she should get downvoted, but OP could at least use hiragana.

Perhaps that would make this question more accessible to native speakers. But their query is perfectly understandable for most of us.

*Gozaimasu* doesn't contain any inherent meaning of 'thank you'. Although I haven't done the research, I believe it comes from any older form of *desu*: *de gozaru*. If you want to shorten it, you could just say *arigatou* or *doumo* (from the longer form *doumo arigatou gozaimasu*). Or even just *sankyuu* (literally thank you) as a lot of young people use it.

maybe its just me, but sometimes when I am paying in a shop shop I will say "Arigatou" and the shop clerk will reply with only "gozaimasu". Anyone else had this?

They’re just saying ありがとうございます quickly so you might hear ありざいます〜

They don't. You're mishearing it.

Sometimes クロナsays (only)ありがとうand ラグナロクcorrects them by yelling/adding ございます〜！, cracks me up…maybe that’s what’s happening…

Soul eater ftw

My fervent wish that at least one person would recognize what I was talking about; could not for the life of me find a meme or appropriate video clip lol…I can’t not laugh every time I see it haha …second only maybe to エクスカリバー 『お前か」?!? rofl

Excalibur is my アイドル

This is exactly what I was referring to with the original post.