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〜ばこそ

bakoso

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Meaning

precisely because …

〜ばこそ singles out one reason and says "it is exactly because of this, and for no other reason". It is typically used to explain a behaviour that might look harsh or strange: 厳しく言うのは、あなたを思えばこそだ (I say harsh things precisely because I care about you). The sentence often ends in のだ.

Formal speech and writing. Very common when defending an action driven by good intentions (love, concern, trust). The reason is usually positive; ばこそ is rarely used for negative causes such as laziness or hatred.

Formation

V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.

  • Vば + こそ (思えばこそ・あればこそ)
  • Aい: 〜ければこそ
  • Aな / N: 〜であればこそ
  • Sentence end: 〜ばこそ、〜のだ / 〜のです

Visual diagram

  1. Step 1あなたを思うから、厳しく言うI say harsh things because I care (plain reason)
  2. Step 2あなたを思えばこそ、厳しく言うのだit is precisely because I care that I say harsh things (no other reason)

Natural examples

  1. あなたのことを思えばこそ、厳しいことを言うのです。

    あなたのことをおもえばこそ、きびしいことをいうのです。

    It is precisely because I care about you that I say harsh things.

    Classic defence: harsh words come from care. Note the ending のです.

  2. 健康であればこそ、仕事も趣味も楽しめる。

    けんこうであればこそ、しごともしゅみもたのしめる。

    Precisely because I am healthy, I can enjoy both work and hobbies.

    〜であればこそ for a noun/na-adjective: precisely because I am healthy.

  3. 信頼していればこそ、大事な仕事を任せたのだ。

    しんらいしていればこそ、だいじなしごとをまかせたのだ。

    It was precisely because I trusted him that I entrusted him with the important work.

    信頼していればこそ: the trust is the sole reason for entrusting the work.

  4. 親であればこそ、子供の将来を心配するのだ。

    おやであればこそ、こどものしょうらいをしんぱいするのだ。

    It is precisely because we are parents that we worry about our children's future.

    N + であればこそ.

  5. 苦労があればこそ、成功したときの喜びも大きい。

    くろうがあればこそ、せいこうしたときのよろこびもおおきい。

    Precisely because there is hardship, the joy of success is all the greater.

    あればこそ is a very common form.

Similar grammar and the difference

Common mistakes

  • ✗
    怠けていればこそ、失敗した。
    ✓
    怠けていたからこそ、失敗した。
    Why
    ばこそ is normally used for a positive or admirable reason; a negative cause takes からこそ.
  • ✗
    愛すればこそ、別れよう。
    ✓
    愛すればこそ、別れるのだ。
    Why
    The main clause states a fact or decision with のだ; a volitional ending sounds unnatural.
  • ✗
    健康ならこそ、楽しめる。
    ✓
    健康であればこそ、楽しめる。
    Why
    Nouns and na-adjectives take であればこそ, not ならこそ.

The main clause usually explains the speaker's own behaviour and ends with のだ / のです. Typical verbs before it: 思う・愛する・信頼する・大切にする・ある. It is a favourite in speeches, letters and drama dialogue; everyday talk uses からこそ.

JLPT N1 tips

On the exam

  • If the sentence defends a harsh or surprising action with a positive reason and ends in のだ, choose ばこそ.
  • Distractors: からこそ (also correct in meaning, but the ば form in the blank decides), てこそ, ばそれまでだ.
  • In 並べ替え, the chunk 〜ばこそ usually comes right before the main clause with のだ.

Frequently asked questions

What does 〜ばこそ mean?

precisely because …. 〜ばこそ singles out one reason and says "it is exactly because of this, and for no other reason". It is typically used to explain a behaviour that might look harsh or strange: 厳しく言うのは、あなたを思えばこそだ (I say harsh things precisely because I care about you). The sentence often ends in のだ.

How do you form 〜ばこそ?

Vば + こそ (思えばこそ・あればこそ) / Aい: 〜ければこそ / Aな / N: 〜であればこそ / Sentence end: 〜ばこそ、〜のだ / 〜のです. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.

When is 〜ばこそ used?

Formal speech and writing. Very common when defending an action driven by good intentions (love, concern, trust). The reason is usually positive; ばこそ is rarely used for negative causes such as laziness or hatred.

What is the difference between 〜ばこそ and 〜からこそ?

Also "precisely because", but neutral in register and usable with any reason. ばこそ is more formal and usually a positive reason.

What is the difference between 〜ばこそ and 〜てこそ?

"Only by doing X (does Y hold)": a condition, not a reason. 努力してこそ成功する.

What is a common mistake with 〜ばこそ?

Wrong: 怠けていればこそ、失敗した。 Right: 怠けていたからこそ、失敗した。 ばこそ is normally used for a positive or admirable reason; a negative cause takes からこそ.

Quick check

1 / 5Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

あなたの将来を考えれ（　　）、留学を勧めているのです。