Practice JLPT
IntermediateJLPT N3 Grammar

こそ

Precisely/Exactly (emphasis)

Romaji: koso

Meaning & usage

The very ~; it is ~; that ~; only (when, after, because, etc.); in particular; precisely; definitely; [an italicized or underlined word] | A particle which emphasizes a word, phrase, or clause.

Notes

Helpful variant translation to help this sentence: "for sure"(emphasizing preceding word)​

Example sentences 11

  1. A: 一体いったい一週間も何をしていたんだ。 B: そう言う君こそ何をしていたんだ。

    A: What on earth were you doing for a whole week? B: You say that but what were you doing?

  2. ここにいてこそいい仕事も見つかるのだ。

    Only by being here can you find a good job.

  3. これこそ我々が探し 求もとめていたものだ。

    This is the very thing that we've been looking for.

  4. こんな時(に)こそ全員で力を合わせて問題を解決しなければならない。

    On this kind of occasion in particular, we all have to cooperate in order to solve the problem.

  5. それでこそ我々のリーダーだ。

    That is precisely the kind of behaviour/what we expect from our leader.

  6. 一人でやってこそ勉強になるのだ。

    It is only when you do it by yourself that you can learn something.

  7. 今年こそこの試験に通ってみせる。

    I will pass this exam definitely this year.

  8. 出来ないからこそ人より 余計よけいに練習しなければならないのだ。

    It’s precisely because you can’t do it that you have to practice more than others do.

  9. 君が正直に話してくれたからこそ問題は 最小さいしょうで 済すんだんだ。

    It is only because you explained (literally: told) it to us honestly that we could minimize the problem.

  10. 親友だからこそこんなことまで君に言うんだよ。

    It's because you are my friend that I can tell you (even) such a thing.

  11. Ａ：どうもすみませんでした。 Ｂ：いいえ、こちらこそすみませんでした。

    A: I'm very sorry. B: No, it's me who should say that (literally: be sorry).

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