GRAMMAR
〜ばこそ・〜であればこそ
precisely because
Explanation
NOTE
〜ばこそ means precisely because — it stresses one strong, exclusive reason for a result.
努力すればこそ、成功できたのだ。
It was precisely because I worked hard that I could succeed.
NOTE
It is formal and emphatic. The sentence often ends with のだ to underline the reason.
NOTE
For a verb, use the ば conditional form, then add こそ directly after it.
STRUCTURE
Vば
こそ君を信じればこそ、正直に言うのだ。
Kimi o shinjireba koso, shoujiki ni iu no da.
It is precisely because I trust you that I speak honestly.
家族が支えればこそ、頑張れるのだ。
Kazoku ga sasaereba koso, ganbareru no da.
It is precisely because my family supports me that I can keep going.
体を大切に思えばこそ、注意するのだ。
Karada o taisetsu ni omoeba koso, chuui suru no da.
It is precisely because I value your health that I warn you.
愛していればこそ、厳しい言葉を言いました。
Aishiteireba koso, kibishii kotoba o iimashita.
Precisely because I love you, I said those harsh words.
努力すればこそ、成功したのです。
Doryoku sureba koso, seikou shita no desu.
Precisely because you put in the effort, you succeeded.
信じればこそ、ここまで待つことができました。
Shinjireba koso, koko made matsu koto ga dekimashita.
Precisely because I believed, I was able to wait until now.
NOTE
With a noun or na-adjective, use the form 〜であればこそ — である plus こそ.
親であればこそ、子を厳しく育てるのだ。
It is precisely because I am a parent that I raise my child strictly.
STRUCTURE
N辞
であればこそ友達であればこそ、本音を話すのだ。
Tomodachi de areba koso, honne o hanasu no da.
It is precisely because we are friends that I speak my true feelings.
先生であればこそ、生徒を叱るのだ。
Sensei de areba koso, seito o shikaru no da.
It is precisely because I am a teacher that I scold my students.
真剣であればこそ、悩むのだ。
Shinken de areba koso, nayamu no da.
It is precisely because I am serious that I worry.
Practice exercises
1
努力すればこそ、夢がかなったのだ。
It was precisely because I made an effort that my dream came true.
Answer
すればこそ
2
君を信じれこそ、本当のことを言うのだ。
It is precisely because I trust you that I tell the truth.
Answer
こそ
3
家族を愛すればこそ、毎日働けるのだ。
It is precisely because I love my family that I can work every day.
Answer
すればこそ
4
親であればこそ、子を叱るのだ。
It is precisely because I am a parent that I scold my child.
Answer
であればこそ
5
友達であれこそ、本音が言えるのだ。
It is precisely because we are friends that I can say my true feelings.
Answer
こそ
6
真剣であればこそ、失敗が怖いのだ。
It is precisely because I am serious that I fear failure.
Answer
であればこそ
7
信念があればこそ、困難な道を貫き通せるのだ。
Precisely because there is conviction, one can see a difficult path through.
Answer
ばこそ
8
真の友情であればこそ、互いに助け合えるのだ。
Precisely because it is true friendship, we can help each other.
Answer
であればこそ
9
厳しい環境にあればこそ、人は成長する。
Precisely because one is in a harsh environment, people grow.
Answer
ばこそ
10
彼は誠実であればこそ、皆に信頼されているのだ。
Precisely because he is sincere, he is trusted by everyone.
Answer
であればこそ
11
心が清ければこそ、人に尊敬されるのだ。
Precisely because one's heart is pure, one is respected by people.
Answer
ばこそ