~こそ
〜koso
Formation
Noun + こそ, (Verb-て + こそ)
Emphasizes the importance or uniqueness of something or someone; 'precisely', 'exactly', 'it is...', 'of all...'.
When to use
こそ: this very one, and no other (今日こそ).
Explanation
The ~こそ grammar point is used to emphasize the importance, uniqueness, or the most suitable thing or person in a specific situation. It can be translated as 'precisely', 'exactly', or 'it is...' in English. In practice, it most often appears after a noun (e.g. 今日こそ), or with verbs in the て-form (e.g. 頑張ってこそ).
Example sentences
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Today, of all days, I must study.
Kyou koso benkyou shinakereba narimasen.
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You are precisely my best friend.
Anata koso watashi no ichiban no tomodachi desu.
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Isn't not having money exactly the key to happiness?
O-kane ga nai koto koso shiawase no hiketsu de wa nai ka.
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He can sing precisely like a professional singer.
Kare koso masani puro no kashu no you ni utaeru.
Emphasis With こそ (Precisely / Only By)
- ~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…
- 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…
Corpus examples (60)
そっちこそ、ギックリ腰で立てなくなってもおいて帰りますわよ。
You worry about yourself. If you put your back out and can't stand we'll go home without you!
聖霊がある方の上に下って、その上にとどまられるのが見えたなら、その方こそ聖霊によってバプテスマを授ける方である。
The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.
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It is love that rules the world.
愛することにかけては、女性こそ専門家で、男性は永遠に素人である。
When it comes to love, women are experts and men eternal novices.
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Happiness is not being loved. Rather, it is giving love.
男と女のあいだの友情はあり得ない。情欲、敵意、賛美や愛情こそあれど、友情はまったくないのである。
Between men and women there is no friendship possible. There is passion, enmity, worship, love, but no friendship.
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This is an old book with a new face.
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You could see the elation in the president's face when he announced that our shares are going to be listed on the First Section of the TSE next year.
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Now is the time to clinch the deal.
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He is the very best inventor in the class.
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Today is the fatal day that they will attempt their escape.
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If anything is sacred the human body is sacred.
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Today is the day I finally bang out all the housework that's been needing to be done.
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This, in essence, is the secret of science.
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If the hay caught fire, it would be a real disaster.
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He is the very person I have wanted to see.
「はじめまして、ジェイムズさん」「こちらこそ、あなたにお会いできて、こんなに嬉しいことはありません」
"How do you do, Mr James?" "Fine, thanks for asking. Nice to meet you."
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Likewise, it was nice to meet you.
危うく車がぶつかりそうになり、彼女は怪我こそしなかったが、ぞっとして鳥肌がたった。
She wasn't hurt, but she got goose bumps when her car nearly crashed.
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The time is ripe for a drastic reform.
手を付けずダラダラしているくせに、「うへー、今度こそ間に合わないかも!?」と心はビクビクしている。
Despite having lazed around without having touched my work I'm frightened at heart that "Ooh-er, this time I might really not get done in time!?"
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That is what the British people expect of their Queen.
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Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.
そして、我々の議会こそ、我々が住む地域の地方行政機関なのです。
And our council is the local government for our area.
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That's just what I wanted.