こそ
It is X that…
X is precisely…
Noun + こそ
こそ is a particle that adds emphasis to the thing preceding it.
Unlike も (Even, too), こそ emphasizes the specificness of a word. It’s kind of like a stronger version of が.
こそ replaces を and usually は. It fills even after に and で.
It may be used with が for even more emphasis.
こそ tends to be used for strong affirmative statements, and is commonly (not always) used to express something contrary or unexpected.
Common Expressions
こちらこそ – No it is I/me/us/we who should….(be thankful, etc)
そちらこそ – No, it is you who… (Worked harder, etc)
これこそ – it is that that is…
今度こそ – This time we will
今こそ – It is now that…
Examples
- かれこそが王に一番ふさわしい
It is He that is most fit to be king. - 簡単な作業こそ注意すべきだ。
It is simple work that you should be the most careful with. (Easy to make mistakes). - 今度こそうまくいく
It is this time that it will go well. - 辛いときこそ頑張るべきだ。
It is the tough times that you should try harder. - 悲しい時こそ元気にふるまうべきだ
It is when you are sad that you should act energetically.
- これこそ、私が求めたウエブサイトだ
It is this, (this is it) the website I was seeking.
Comparisons
- 彼が一番ふさわしい
He’s the most suited. - 彼こそが一番ふさわしい
It is he that is the most suited. - 勉強すべきだ
You should study - 勉強こそすべきだ
It is studying that you should do. - 彼が強い
He is strong. - 彼も強い
He is also strong. - 彼こそが強い
It is Him that is strong (No one else is truly strong).