GRAMMAR
〜てこそ
only when
not until
Explanation
NOTE
〜てこそ means it is only by doing X that... — it emphasizes an essential precondition for a result.
努力してこそ、成功できる。
It is only by making an effort that you can succeed.
The action before *てこそ* is presented as the essential, indispensable condition for what follows.
NOTE
The result clause typically expresses something positive or valuable that depends entirely on the prior action.
NOTE
Attach こそ directly to the て-form of a verb (努力して → 努力してこそ).
STRUCTURE
Vて
こそ相手の話を聞いてこそ、本当の意味がわかります。
Aite no hanashi o kiite koso, hontou no imi ga wakarimasu.
Only when you listen to what the other person says, do you understand the true meaning.
自分で考えてこそ、力がつきます。
Jibun de kangaete koso, chikara ga tsukimasu.
Only when you think for yourself, will you gain ability.
困難を乗り越えてこそ、人は強くなれるのです。
Konnan o norikoete koso, hito wa tsuyoku nareru no desu.
Not until you overcome difficulties can a person become strong.
人は助け合ってこそ、強くなれる。
Hito wa tasukeatte koso, tsuyoku nareru.
It is only by helping each other that people can become strong.
失敗を経験してこそ、成長できる。
Shippai wo keiken shite koso, seichou dekiru.
It is only by experiencing failure that one can grow.
苦労してこそ、本当の幸せが分かる。
Kurou shite koso, hontou no shiawase ga wakaru.
It is only by going through hardship that you understand true happiness.
Practice exercises
1
自分で経験してこそ、本当の価値が分かるものだ。
It's natural to understand the true value only when you experience it yourself.
Answer
てこそ
2
逆境を乗り越えてこそ人間は成長する。
Humans grow only when they overcome adversity.
Answer
てこそ
3
苦労してこそ、本当の喜びが感じられるべきだ。
One should feel true joy only when one experiences hardship.
Answer
てこそ
4
失敗してこそ学べるのだから、何もしないことには進歩はない。
Since one can learn only when one fails, there will be no progress unless one does something.
Answer
てこそ
5
自分の力でやり遂げてこそ自信がつく。
Confidence comes only when you accomplish something with your own strength.
Answer
てこそ