GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜こそ
Emphasizes a particular person, thing, or time as important in contrast with other possibilities.
Examples
困難なときこそ、冷静な判断が必要だ。
It is precisely in difficult times that calm judgment is necessary.
Words used
今こそ、新しいことを始める時だ。
Now is the very time to start something new.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
こそfollows a noun or particle phrase and emphasizes that particular item or time against other possibilities. - Basic usage:
今こそ、新しいことを始める時だ。singles out the present as an especially important time to begin.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Emphasis versus exclusion
今こそ必要だemphasizes the importance of the present, whereas今だけ必要だlimits the time of need to now. Emphasis withこそalone does not exclude every other time.
- Keeping the particle phrase's role
困難なときこそemphasizes a significant time, whileあなたにこそ話したいemphasizes the person the speaker especially wants to tell. In the latter,にretains its grammatical role of marking the addressee, andこそhighlights that person.