Structure
Noun + こそ
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Standard
使用域
一般
About こそ
こそ can be used directly after any noun that would usually take the を, or が particles, so long as that particular piece of information needs to be emphasized.
- この曲こそ俺がずーっと探していた曲だ!やっとタイトルが分かった。This song is exactly the song I have been searching for! I finally figured out the title.
- 今度こそ勝つぞ!I will win for sure next time!
は- Weakly highlights specific information.
が- Strongly highlights specific information.
こそ- Very strongly highlights specific information.
- いえいえ、私こそありがとうございます。No no no no, I am the one that should be thankful.
Synonyms
Examples
あなたこそできる。
You can do it!
いえいえ、謝らないでください!私こそ悪いことをしてしまいました。
No, no! Please do not apologize. It was (more) me (than you) that was in the wrong.
一人でも手助けをすることができたら、それこそ最高の気持ちになる。
Even if we can only help one person, that (even more so) is the best feeling.
今度こそ達成してみせる!
I will achieve (it) this time!
辛い時こそ、大切なことを学べるチャンスだ。
Difficult times are chances to learn something important.
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Detailed explanation and multiple examples
Maggie Sensei
こそ explained in detail
Self-taught Japanese
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Tobira
Page 284
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 171
Quartet II
Page 11, Point 1
A Handbook of Japanese Grammar Patterns
Page 118
A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar
Page 132
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こそ – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (8 in total)
dokidokiwakuwaku
About 5 months ago
In the example sentence それでこそ僕の選んだ妻だ, why would それでさえ僕の選んだ妻だ not be correct?
nekoyama
About 5 months ago
Isn’t the meaning a bit different?
それでこそ - That’s exactly why she’s who I chose for my wife.
それでさえ - But even so, she’s who I chose for my wife.tamagotchild
About 3 months ago
I can understand kind of how this meaning comes about, but it doesn’t make sense to me with the rest of the grammar.
困った時こそのは友達じゃないか。Would make a lot more sense but こその友達 is qualifying 友達 in this sentence.
If that’s not the case, it would be helpful to have a more in depth explanation for this one.
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