Noun こそ～が

When to use

こそ～が: X, yes, but (値段こそ高いが).

Explanation

「Noun こそ～が」highlights the importance or uniqueness of the noun. It often translates as 'Yes, Noun is indeed ... , but ...'. The 'が' introduces a second, sometimes contrasting statement.

• お金かねこそ必要ひつようだが、それだけが人生じんせいのすべてではない。

  Money is indeed necessary, but it isn't everything in life.

  Okane koso hitsuyou da ga, sore dake ga jinsei no subete de wa nai.

• 努力どりょくこそ大事だいじだが、結果けっかも見逃せない。

  Effort is certainly crucial, but results also matter.

  Doryoku koso daiji da ga, kekka mo minogasenai.

• 健康けんこうこそ宝たからだが、ときには仕事しごとを優先ゆうせんせざるを得えない。

  Health is indeed a treasure, but sometimes you have to prioritize work.

  Kenkou koso takara da ga, toki ni wa shigoto o yuusen sezaru wo enai.

• 愛あいこそ力ちからだが、表現ひょうげんするのは難むずかしい。

  Love is certainly a powerful force, but it's difficult to express.

  Ai koso chikara da ga, hyougen suru no wa muzukashii.

Emphasis With こそ (Precisely / Only By)

• ～こそ〜kosoN3Emphasizes the importance or uniqueness of something or…
• ～てこそ〜te kosoN2Emphasizes the condition; 'only when', 'precisely because'.
• ～からこそ〜kara kosoN2Express the emphasis on the reason; 'precisely because'…
• Noun こそあれ~koso areN1Expresses 'though there is ... (some negative or…
• Noun こそすれ~koso sureN1An emphatic pattern meaning 'it may be X, but definitely…
• Verb こそすれ~koso sureN1Often used in the pattern 'Xこそすれ、Y〜ない', meaning 'One might…

Compare when to use each