Readnihongo app icon

Readnihongo

Read Japanese, beautifully.

N3

Emphasis with こそ

About 10 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Section 1 of 3

Core meaning

こそ is an emphasis marker. It highlights the word before it and gives it special importance. In English, the force may sound like “this is exactly…”, “it is because… that…”, or “only when… can…”.

  1. Target signal

    これこそ私たちが探していた答えだ。

    This is exactly the answer we were looking for.

    これこそ strongly singles out the exact item.

    Vocabulary notes
    こそ〜こそ
    exactly; precisely; indeed
    たち〜たち
    plural suffix for people or animals
    いた
    was there

  2. Compare in context

    今こそ行動するときだ。

    Now is precisely the time to act.

    今こそ highlights the timing as especially important.

    Vocabulary notes
    すると
    then; when that happens
    こそ〜こそ
    exactly; precisely; indeed
    する
    to do

Section 2 of 3

Common patterns

Three high-value patterns are worth memorizing: これこそ / それこそ for strong focus, 〜からこそ for “precisely because…”, and 〜てこそ for “only after doing… can…”. These appear often in essays, speeches, and reflective writing.

  1. Target signal

    失敗があったからこそ、今の自分がある。

    It is precisely because I failed that I am who I am now.

    〜からこそ emphasizes the real reason behind the result.

    Vocabulary notes
    こそ〜こそ
    exactly; precisely; indeed
    あるありません
    there is not; do not have
    ある
    to exist; to have

  2. Preview

    毎日読んでこそ、読解力は伸びる。

    Only by reading every day does reading ability improve.

    〜てこそ marks the condition that makes the result meaningful.

    Vocabulary notes
    読んでよんで
    reading and
    こそ〜こそ
    exactly; precisely; indeed
    毎日まいにち
    every day

Section 3 of 3

Reading notes

When こそ appears, ask yourself what the writer is spotlighting. It often reveals thesis statements, emotionally important points, or contrastive persuasion. This is especially useful in opinion writing and motivational text.

  1. Target signal

    小さな努力こそ、大きな変化につながる。

    It is small efforts that lead to major change.

    The focused item is presented as the key cause of change.

    Vocabulary notes
    つながる
    to lead to; to connect
    大きなおおきな
    big
    こそ〜こそ
    exactly; precisely; indeed

  2. Preview

    静かな時間があるからこそ、深く考えられる。

    It is precisely because there is quiet time that one can think deeply.

    The sentence stresses that quiet time is exactly what allows deeper thought.

    Vocabulary notes
    こそ〜こそ
    exactly; precisely; indeed
    あるありません
    there is not; do not have
    ある
    to exist; to have

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how Emphasis with こそ changes the meaning before you check the translation.

これこそ私たちが探していた答えだ。 今こそ行動するときだ。 失敗があったからこそ、今の自分がある。 毎日読んでこそ、読解力は伸びる。 小さな努力こそ、大きな変化につながる。 静かな時間があるからこそ、深く考えられる。 もう一度読んでください。前後の文を比べてください。場面と話し手を考えてください。意味の流れを最後まで確認して、使い分けを考えてください。もう一度読んでください。前後の文を比べてください。場面と話し手を考えてください。意味の流れを最後まで確認して、使い分けを考えてください。もう一度読

Show English translation

This is exactly the answer we were looking for. Now is precisely the time to act. It is precisely because I failed that I am who I am now. Only by reading every day does reading ability improve. It is small efforts that lead to major change. It is precisely because there is quiet time that one can think deeply.

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

  1. What is the first reading job for this passage?

    • Identify the situation and how Emphasis with こそ changes it.
    • Translate every word before using context.
    • Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
    • Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
    Check the answer

    Identify the situation and how Emphasis with こそ changes it.

    The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of Emphasis with こそ in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 4Choose the best context

What is the main function of こそ?

Activity 2 of 4Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (Emphasis with こそ).

これ＿＿＿私たちが探していた答えだ。

Activity 3 of 4Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

  1. 1今こそ行動するときだ。
  2. 2失敗があったからこそ、今の自分がある。
  3. 3これこそ私たちが探していた答えだ。
Activity 4 of 4Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of Emphasis with こそ in the mini-reading?

Mastery check 1/3

What is the main function of こそ?