こそ

See also: こぞ and ごぞ

Japanese

Etymology 1

From Old Japanese.

Possibly derived from 此 (ko, “this”) + そ (so, Old Japanese empathic particle). (Can this⁽⁺⁾ etymology be sourced?)

Particle

こそ • (koso) 

1. emphatic particle used for emphasis: it is ... that

   今日(きょう)こそ、やるぞ！

   Kyō koso, yaru zo!

   Today is the day I'm gonna do it!

   君(きみ)が好(す)きだからこそこれほど頑(がん)張(ば)っているんだよ。

   Kimi ga suki dakara koso kore hodo ganbatte iru n da yo.

   It's because I like you [because of my fondness for you] that I'm working this hard.

   1. used in set phrases when returning a greeting or apology to someone

      「ありがとうございます!」「こちらこそ!」

      “Arigatō gozaimasu!”“Kochira koso!”

      "Thank you very much!" "Thank you, too!" (lit. "It is me who should say thank you.")

Usage notes

• Does not emphasize predicates.
• There is no direct translation, but it is roughly analogous to “precisely” or “the one that”. Compare the Ancient Greek discourse particle γε (ge).

Derived terms

• それこそ (sorekoso)
• ばこそ (-ba koso)
• もこそ (mo koso)

Suffix

こそ • (-koso) 

1. (archaic) used for calling or appealing

---

Old Japanese

Etymology

Possibly derived from 此 (ko₂, “this”) +‎ そ (so₂, empathic particle). (Can this⁽⁺⁾ etymology be sourced?)

Particle

こそ (ko₂so₂)

1. emphatic particle used for emphasis
2. sentence-ending particle expressing humility
3. sentence-ending particle expressing hope for others

Citations

For quotations using this term, see Citations:こそ.

Descendants

• Japanese: こそ (koso)