こそthis very one; precisely
こそ singles out one thing as the one that matters: this one, not the others you might have thought of. You'll hear it first in a few set phrases.
handing a greeting back
Likewise. I look forward to working with you.
today, unlike the other days
Today I really am going to finish the report.
this, not that
It isn't flashy talent that matters. It's daily practice.
How to form it
Noun + こそ
It usually takes the place of は, が or を. に stays, in front of it: あなたにこそ.
- What it says
- This one, and not the others. There is always something it is set against, said or unsaid.
- Before it
- A person, a thing or a time. 〜ときこそ is "that is exactly when".
- Tone
- Earnest. Outside the set phrases it sounds like someone making a point.
- Where you'll meet it
- Thanks and greetings, resolutions, advice, speeches, advertising.
The phrases you'll hear first
Thanks for helping today.
No, thank you for asking me.
こちらこそ hands thanks, an apology or a greeting back: I should be the one saying that.
今度こそ, 今日こそ, 今年こそ: this time, and not the times before. You meant to, or you tried, and it didn't happen.
This time I really want to pass the exam.
This is the year I give up smoking.
Today I really am going to bed early.
You meant to yesterday too, and didn't.
Look after yourself.
You're the one who should, Mom.
It turns a remark back: that goes for you more than for me. With a name, 田中さんこそ.
This, not that
When you're busy is exactly when you should get a proper night's sleep.
You are the very person I want to hear this.
に stays, and こそ follows it.
Now is the time to act.
This is how a speech sounds.
Close neighbours
からこそN3
The same こそ on a reason: this is exactly why, though you might not have expected it.
It's because I care about you that I'm so hard on you.
てこそN2
After a て-form: only by doing this.
Only by using a foreign language every day can you make it your own.
さえN3
さえ marks the extreme case: "even". こそ marks the one that counts.
He was so nervous that he couldn't even say his own name.
Check yourself
1What does this tell you?
今年こそ、
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which one fits?
初心者
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
ようこそ, "welcome", is よく with this こそ.
こそ can also keep が or は after it, with the same meaning: これこそが, 今度こそは.
More sentences
I'm the one who should take responsibility, not my staff.
He is the very person I want to give this job to.
No, the honor of meeting you is mine.
What matters isn't length of experience. It's accuracy of judgment.