こそ
Japanese
editEtymology
editFrom Old Japanese.
Possibly derived from 此 (ko, “this”) + そ (so, Old Japanese emphatic particle). (Can this(+) etymology be sourced?)
Particle
edit- emphatic particle used for emphasis: it is ... that
Usage notes
edit- こそ cannot be after the predicate of a sentence. Thus, when emphasizing predicates, the structure "verbal noun + こそ + する (suru)" must be used.
- 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
editSuffix
editOld Japanese
editEtymology
editPossibly derived from 此 (ko2, “this”) + そ (so2, empathic particle). (Can this(+) etymology be sourced?)
Particle
editこそ (ko2so2)
- emphatic particle used for emphasis
- sentence-ending particle expressing humility
- sentence-ending particle expressing hope for others
Descendants
edit- Japanese: こそ (koso)