GRAMMAR
〜こそあれ・〜こそすれ・〜にこそなれ
although there is ~
Explanation
NOTE
These patterns all mean although there is — they admit one fact, then deny or contrast another.
NOTE
They are formal and literary. The part before こそ is emphasized as the admitted point.
NOTE
〜こそあれ joins to a noun: there certainly is X, but — admitting the noun while contrasting after.
感謝こそあれ、不満はない。
There is certainly gratitude, but no dissatisfaction.
STRUCTURE
N辞
こそあれ努力こそあれ、後悔はない。
Doryoku koso are, koukai wa nai.
There is certainly effort, but no regret.
違いこそあれ、目的は同じだ。
Chigai koso are, mokuteki wa onaji da.
There are certainly differences, but the goal is the same.
尊敬こそあれ、恐れはない。
Sonkei koso are, osore wa nai.
There is certainly respect, but no fear.
多少の不安こそあれ、新しい仕事に挑戦するのは楽しいです。
Tashou no fuan kosoare, atarashii shigoto ni chousen suru no wa tanoshii desu.
Although there is a little anxiety, it is fun to challenge myself with a new job.
この古い建物には不便な点こそあれ、歴史を感じられて好きです。
Kono furui tatemono ni wa fuben na ten kosoare, rekishi o kanjirarete suki desu.
Although this old building has some inconvenient points, I like it because I can feel its history.
難しい問題こそあれ、あきらめずに最後までがんばります。
Muzukashii mondai kosoare, akiramezu ni saigo made ganbarimasu.
Although there are difficult problems, I will do my best until the end without giving up.
NOTE
〜こそすれ joins to a verb stem: certainly does X, but — admitting the action while denying after.
感謝しこそすれ、非難はしない。
I certainly feel grateful, but I would never blame you.
STRUCTURE
Vます
こそすれ増えこそすれ、減ることはない。
Fue koso sure, heru koto wa nai.
It certainly increases, but it will never decrease.
努力しこそすれ、怠けはしない。
Doryoku shi koso sure, namake wa shinai.
He certainly makes an effort, but he never slacks off.
感心しこそすれ、失望はしない。
Kanshin shi koso sure, shitsubou wa shinai.
I certainly admire it, but I am not disappointed at all.
この薬は体に害を与えこそすれ、健康には良くない。
Kono kusuri wa karada ni gai o atae koso sure, kenkou ni wa yokunai.
This medicine does nothing but harm the body; it is not good for your health.
彼の話は誤解を招きこそすれ、人を楽しませることはない。
Kare no hanashi wa gokai o maneki koso sure, hito o tanoshimaseru koto wa nai.
His stories might cause misunderstandings, but they certainly never entertain anyone.
プロの選手は毎日練習しこそすれ、怠けることはない。
Puro no senshu wa mainichi renshu shi koso sure, namakeru koto wa nai.
Professional athletes do nothing but practice every day; they never slack off.
NOTE
〜にこそなれ joins to a noun: it will certainly become X, but — affirming a result while denying another.
この経験は力にこそなれ、害にはならない。
This experience will certainly become a strength, never a harm.
STRUCTURE
N辞
にこそなれ失敗は教訓にこそなれ、恥にはならない。
Shippai wa kyoukun ni koso nare, haji ni wa naranai.
Failure will certainly become a lesson, never a shame.
努力は財産にこそなれ、無駄にはならない。
Doryoku wa zaisan ni koso nare, muda ni wa naranai.
Effort will certainly become an asset, never a waste.
その言葉は励ましにこそなれ、負担にはならない。
Sono kotoba wa hagemashi ni koso nare, futan ni wa naranai.
Those words will certainly become encouragement, never a burden.
あの人の意見は参考にこそなれ、絶対の正解ではない。
Ano hito no iken wa sankou ni koso nare, zettai no seikai de wa nai.
That person's opinion may be useful as a reference, but it is not the absolute correct answer.
この機械は便利にこそなれ、操作は少し複雑だ。
Kono kikai wa benri ni koso nare, sousa wa sukoshi fukuzatsu da.
This machine is convenient, but its operation is a bit complex.
この仕事は、苦労にこそなれ、決して無駄ではない。
Kono shigoto wa, kurou ni koso nare, kesshite muda de wa nai.
This job may involve hardships, but it is certainly not a waste of time.
Practice exercises
1
経験こそあれ、能力はどうにか補える。
Although there is a lack of experience, ability can somehow make up for it.
Answer
こそあれ
2
失敗こそあれ、次はないとばかりに彼は奮起した。
Although there was failure, he roused himself as if to say there would be no next time.
Answer
こそあれ
3
議論こそすれ、合意には至らなかった。
There certainly was discussion, but it did not lead to an agreement.
Answer
こそすれ
4
嘘つきにこそなれ、裏切るようなことはしない。
He may well end up a liar, but he would never betray anyone.
Answer
にこそなれ
5
議論を戦わせることこそすれ、誹謗中傷は断固として許さない。
We may well argue our points, but we will never tolerate slander.
Answer
こそすれ
6
感謝こそあれ、不満はない。
There is certainly gratitude, but no dissatisfaction.
Answer
こそあれ
7
努力こそあれ、後悔はない。
There is certainly effort, but no regret.
Answer
こそあれ
8
違いこそあれ、目的は同じだ。
There are certainly differences, but the goal is the same.
Answer
こそあれ
9
不安は増えこそすれ、減ることはない。
Anxiety certainly increases, but it never decreases.
Answer
こそすれ
10
彼は努力しこそすれ、怠けはしない。
He certainly makes an effort, but he never slacks off.
Answer
こそすれ
11
その作品に感心しこそすれ、失望はしない。
I certainly admire that work, but I am not disappointed.
Answer
こそすれ
12
この経験は力にこそなれ、害にはならない。
This experience will certainly become a strength, never a harm.
Answer
にこそなれ
13
失敗は教訓にこそなれ、恥にはならない。
Failure will certainly become a lesson, never a shame.
Answer
にこそなれ
14
努力は財産にこそなれ、無駄にはならない。
Effort will certainly become an asset, never a waste.
Answer
にこそなれ