Decoded Slug: ～てこそ (〜te koso)
Japanese JLPT Grammar Point
～てこそ (〜te koso)
～てこそ (〜te koso)
Short explanation:
Emphasizes the condition; 'only when', 'precisely because'
Formation:
Verb-てform + こそ, い-adjective + くてこそ, な-adjective + でこそ, Noun + でこそ
Examples:
勉強してこそ、テストに合格します。
Benkyou shite koso, tesuto ni goukaku shimasu.
Only when you study will you pass the test.
素直になってこそ、相手の気持ちが分かります。
Sunao ni natte koso, aite no kimochi ga wakarimasu.
Only when you become honest can you understand the other person's feelings.
静かでこそ、心が落ち着く。
Shizuka de koso, kokoro ga ochitsuku.
Only when it's quiet does the heart settle down.
友達でこそ、お互いのために助け合いましょう。
Tomodachi de koso, otagai no tame ni tasuke aimashou.
Only as friends should we help each other.
Long explanation:
The ～てこそ grammar point is used to emphasize the importance of the condition mentioned before it. It can be translated as 'only when' or 'precisely because' in English. The formation differs depending on whether it is used with a verb, い-adjective, な-adjective, or noun.
