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〜こそ

koso

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Meaning

"precisely ~", "it is ~ that ~" — emphasis on the word it follows.

こそ spotlights the preceding word: this one, not any other. こちらこそ and 今度こそ are set phrases worth memorising.

Emphasis in both speech and writing; also in the fixed reason form 〜からこそ.

Formation

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

  • N + こそ
  • これ / 今 / 今度 + こそ
  • N + こそが + predicate
  • Plain form + からこそ (emphatic reason)

Visual diagram

  1. Step 1今度は合格したいthis time I want to pass (neutral topic)
  2. Step 2今度こそ合格したいTHIS time, for sure, I want to pass (emphasis: not like before)

Natural examples

  1. こちらこそ、よろしくお願いします。

    こちらこそ、よろしくおねがいします。

    The pleasure is mine.

  2. 今度こそ合格したい。

    こんどこそごうかくしたい。

    This time for sure, I want to pass.

  3. これこそ、私が探していた本だ。

    これこそ、わたしがさがしていたほんだ。

    This is the very book I was looking for.

  4. 努力こそが成功の鍵だ。

    どりょくこそがせいこうのかぎだ。

    Effort is precisely the key to success.

Similar grammar and the difference

Common mistakes

  • ✗
    今度はこそ合格したい。
    ✓
    今度こそ合格したい。
    Why
    こそ replaces は; they do not stack.
  • ✗
    私こそが悪いではない。
    ✓
    私こそが悪いのだ。
    Why
    こそ usually appears in positive, emphatic statements.
  • ✗
    こちらこそ、すみませんでした。(after being thanked)
    ✓
    こちらこそ、ありがとうございました。
    Why
    Match the phrase you are returning: thanks for thanks, apology for apology.

Replaces は; can attach to が/を as こそが. Fixed phrases: こちらこそ, 今度こそ, これこそ. In writing, こそ often starts a key sentence: 〜こそ〜なのだ.

JLPT N3 tips

On the exam

  • Set phrases こちらこそ / 今度こそ appear in dialogue questions; the blank after こちら or 今度 is こそ.
  • A subject followed by が and a strong claim (鍵だ, 大切だ) often takes こそが.
  • Distractors: さえ, だけ, ほど. Only こそ gives positive emphasis.

Frequently asked questions

What does 〜こそ mean?

"precisely ~", "it is ~ that ~" — emphasis on the word it follows. こそ spotlights the preceding word: this one, not any other. こちらこそ and 今度こそ are set phrases worth memorising.

How do you form 〜こそ?

N + こそ / これ / 今 / 今度 + こそ / N + こそが + predicate / Plain form + からこそ (emphatic reason). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.

When is 〜こそ used?

Emphasis in both speech and writing; also in the fixed reason form 〜からこそ.

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

Emphasizes a reason clause.

What is the difference between 〜こそ and 〜さえ?

"Even": an extreme example, not a positive spotlight.

What is a common mistake with 〜こそ?

Wrong: 今度はこそ合格したい。 Right: 今度こそ合格したい。 こそ replaces は; they do not stack.

Quick check

1 / 5Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5

去年は失敗したが、今年（　　）成功させたい。