What does ～こそ～が mean? Japanese grammar N1

Forming it

How to use it

Uses 「こそ」 to emphatically acknowledge A, then states a contrasting clause. Written/argumentative style.

• 「AこそBが…」 uses 「こそ」 to emphatically acknowledge that A truly is B, then the following clause presents a contrasting/supplementary idea.
• A concessive structure: acknowledging first makes the following counterpoint sound balanced and persuasive.
• Different from 「こそあれ」 (attaches to a noun, acknowledging existence): this pattern emphasizes an entire predicate before contrasting it.

Examples

• お金(かね)こそ必要(ひつよう)だが、それがすべてではない。

  Money is indeed necessary, but it isn’t everything.

• 努力(どりょく)こそ大事(だいじ)だが、方向(ほうこう)を間違(まちが)えては意味(いみ)がない。

  Effort is what matters, but it means nothing in the wrong direction.

Keep in mind

• The following clause must have 「が／けれど」.
• Commonly used in argumentative writing.

Common mistakes

• Wrongお金(かね)こそ必要(ひつよう)だ。それがすべてだ。

  Money is indeed necessary, but that isn't everything.

  Correctお金(かね)こそ必要(ひつよう)だが、それがすべてではない。

  This pattern needs a CONTRASTING clause linked by 「が」; without it, all that remains is plain emphasis with 「こそ」.

• Wrongお金(かね)がこそ必要(ひつよう)だが、それがすべてではない。

  Money truly is necessary, but it isn't everything.

  Correctお金(かね)こそ必要(ひつよう)だが、それがすべてではない。

  「こそ」 replaces the particle が/は — don't stack them together.

Exam tips

• 「AこそBが…」 = A truly is so, but...; the following clause must contrast.

Related patterns

• ～こそあれ
• ～こそすれ
• ～ものの