Noun こそすれ

When to use

Noun こそすれ～ない: certainly X, never Y (感謝こそすれ).

Explanation

「Noun/Verb-ます形 + こそすれ」emphasizes that while one aspect (X) might exist or be true, another aspect (Y) absolutely does not. It's frequently used with negative expressions (e.g., 〜ない、〜できない) to strongly deny the second possibility.

• 感謝かんしゃこそすれ、非難ひなんなどできません。

  I might feel grateful, but I could never criticize.

  Kansha koso sure, hinan nado dekimasen.

• 忙いそがしさこそすれ、退屈たいくつすることはありません。

  I may be busy, but I'm never bored.

  Isogashisa koso sure, taikutsu suru koto wa arimasen.

• 後悔こうかいこそすれ、忘わすれることはできない。

  I might regret it, but I can't forget it.

  Koukai koso sure, wasureru koto wa dekinai.

• 疑問ぎもんこそすれ、賛成さんせいはできない。

  I may have doubts, but I cannot agree.

  Gimon koso sure, sansei wa dekinai.

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～が~koso~gaN1Emphasizes that 'it is precisely Noun that ...', then adds…
• 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