こそ「〜が・けれど」
🃏 Flashcard
こそ「〜が・けれど」
koso~ga/keredo
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but; although (emphasis)
N1
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📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading
koso~ga/keredo
Post ID
51249
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
but; although (emphasis)
📖 How to use it
Uses こそ to emphasize the preceding phrase while expressing a contrasting 'but' or 'although' nuance.
Attaches to
Attach こそ to the て-form of a verb or adjective followed by いる or ある (e.g., してこそいる, あってこそある), or to a noun followed by では (e.g., 子供ではこそある). The particle こそ comes after the phrase, and is followed by が or けれど.
This pattern emphasizes the first clause to highlight an unexpected contrast. It often carries a tone of concession: "precisely because of X, but still..." or "even though X (which is extreme), ...". The が or けれど after こそ functions as a standard contrastive conjunction, but the こそ adds a strong focus on the preceding element, making the statement more emphatic and literary. It is common in written Japanese, speeches, and formal contexts, not in casual conversation. For example, saying 遅れてこそいますが... means "It is true that I am late, but..." with a nuance of admitting a fault while still making a point.
高いお金を払ってこそいますが、サービスは最悪でした。
Takai okane o haratte koso imasu ga, sābisu wa saiaku deshita.
I did pay a lot of money, but the service was terrible.
彼は日本人ではこそありますが、日本語がほとんど話せません。
Kare wa nihonjin de wa koso arimasu ga, nihongo ga hotondo hanasemasen.
He is indeed Japanese, but he can hardly speak Japanese.
子供ではこそありますが、彼の意見は尊重されるべきです。
Kodomo de wa koso arimasu ga, kare no iken wa sonchō sareru beki desu.
He is indeed a child, but his opinion should be respected.
Not こそあれ or こそすれ
こそあれ means 'even though' or 'although' and often pairs with negative outcomes, while こそすれ means 'but never' (e.g., 感謝してこそすれ、恨みはしない). The pattern こそ〜が/けれど focuses on contrast with a positive statement, not on negation or exclusion.
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Formal and literary; used in written language, speeches, and polite conversation, but rarely in casual speech.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
こそ「〜が・けれど」
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat こそ「〜が・けれど」 three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using こそ「〜が・けれど」. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern こそ「〜が・けれど」 mean?
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But; although (emphasis)
What JLPT level is こそ「〜が・けれど」?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use こそ「〜が・けれど」 in a sentence?
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Attach こそ「〜が・けれど」 (koso~ga/keredo) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is こそ「〜が・けれど」 formal or casual Japanese?
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こそ「〜が・けれど」 is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember こそ「〜が・けれど」 long-term?
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Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.