Japanese word

こそ

Pronunciation

Romajikoso

Meaning

  • particlefor sure

Example

今日こそ早く寝ます。kyō ko so haya ku ne ma su

I will go to bed early today for sure.

Illustration for こそ (for sure)

More examples

今度こそ、約束を守ります。kon do ko so yaku soku o mamo ri ma su

This time, I will keep my promise for sure.

Core concept

Marks the preceding element as the particular one singled out, often giving it a sense of special importance or certainty.

Common phrases

  • 今度こそkon do ko so

    this time for sure

  • 今日こそkyō ko so

    today for sure

  • 次こそtsugi ko so

    next time for sure

Similar words

はwa: Marks a topic as the basis for the statement and can also signal contrast.
もmo: Shows that the preceding element shares the same condition or description as another.

Definition in Japanese

前の語を他と区別して強調し、まさにそれであるという意味を表す。mae no go o hoka to ku betsu shi te kyō chō shi ma sa ni so re de a ru to i u i mi o arawa su

Word origin

The modern particle こそ (koso) comes from the Classical Japanese emphatic particle こそ, whose focus-marking function continues in modern Japanese.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, こそ (koso) appears in こちらこそ (kochira koso), a common reply meaning that the same thanks or greeting applies to the other person.

Other meanings

  • exactlyparticle
  • especiallyparticle

Word lists with this word