Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 10: 19/22

こそすれ〜ないAnd certainly not, But certainly not, But, Although, Even though

Structure

[する]Verb + こそすれ
Verb[ます]+ こそすれ

Details

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    Formal

About こそすれ〜ない

Occasionally in Japanese, the adverbial particle こそ will be seen followed by the realis form (sometimes referred to as the perfective form) of verbs. This is a classical verb form that does not have a modern counterpart. However, the hypothetical form has largely replaced the realis form in the manner in conjugates.

The verbs that will be seen altered this way are する ‘to do’, なる ‘to become’, and ある ‘to be’. They will respectively become こそすれ, こそなれ, and こそあれ , and are used specifically for emphasis. Common translations include ‘certainly not (B), but (A)’, or ‘even though (B), actually (A)’. The (B) phrase in this grammar point will include a negative statement, and is usually something that the speaker is responding to or correcting about what another person mistakenly thought.

こそすれ may attach to either the noun part of する-Verbs, or the conjunctive form of standard verbs.

なれ and あれ will be used based on the standard rules of what type of word なる would usually appear with (a noun or adjective), and what type of word ある would usually appear with (a noun).

Caution

There are cases where the base verb will have been entered in some way, like by having the causative or the passive auxiliary verbs attached to them before the new base will be altered with こそする. So you will need to work out what verb stem is actually being used in any given sentence.

  • 感謝(かんしゃ)されこそすれ文句(もんく)()われる筋合(すじあ)いはない。
    I should be thanked, you certainly are not in the position to complain.

Examples

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    セキュリティ事故(じこ)()えこそすれ()りはしないだろう。

    The security incidents will only increase, certainly not decrease.

    小説(しょうせつ):「だが実際(じっさい)は、剣士(けんし)復讐(ふくしゅう)(しん)()()(つよ)めこそすれ(けっ)して()めるどころではなかったのである。」

    Novel: 'In reality, however, the swordsman's blazing desire for vengeance was intensifying, and certainly not cooling down at all.'

    (おお)くの(ひと)にとって、その奇妙(きみょう)現象(げんしょう)(おどろ)きこそすれ恐怖(きょうふ)(かん)じるほどではなかった。

    The strange phenomenon was surprising for many, and certainly not terrifying.

    魔法使(まほうつか)いへの恋情(れんじょう)は、(つよ)めこそすれ(よわ)めるものではなかった。

    Her love for the sorcerer strengthened, and certainly didn't weaken.

    感謝(かんしゃ)こそすれ(にく)しみを(かん)じるなんてちゃんちゃらおかしいよ。

    I feel gratitude, certainly not something as ridiculous as hatred.

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      こそすれ〜ない – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (1 in total)

      • Toldfinger1

        Toldfinger1

        I’ve tried reporting this via the report feature on the page but it has gone unanswered for 2 months. The explanation currently says the imperative form is used to contrast clauses but すれ is not an imperative form. This line should be removed.

        Edit: Has been updated now, thanks much.

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