こそ

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
こそ replaces and usually . It fills even after and
It may be used with 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

  • 一番ふさわしい
    He’s the most suited.

  • 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.

  • 強い
    He is strong.

  • 強い
    He is also strong.

  • こそが強い
    It is Him that is strong (No one else is truly strong).