- JLPT N2
~てこそ
NikoJLPT N2: ～てこそ (it's only when/by...)
You may already know that こそ is used to emphasize the importance of something in relation to other factors. This is an N3 grammar point which, unfortunately, we haven't had a lesson on yet. We did see a few examples of this grammar point back in this lesson, though: Blood Types.
And we saw the following sentence in JLPT N2: てみせる：
去年は失敗したけど、今年こそは７月中に夏休みの宿題を終わらせてみせる。
きょねん は しっぱい した けど、 ことし こそ は しちがつ ちゅう に なつやすみ の しゅくだい を おわらせて みせる。
I messed up last year, but this year I will finish my summer homework in July.
↑ こそ is emphasizing that this is the year that I will finish my summer homework early.
In this lesson, we are looking at how putting こそ after the て-form of a VERB means something like: "it is only when/by VERB-ing that..."
This phrase is typically used with positive evaluations when stating that [blah blah blah] is only possible by experiencing [blah blah blah] (for the first time).
An example:
サグラダ・ファミリアは実物を目で見てこそ、そのすごさが分かる。
サグラダ・ファミリア は じつぶつ を め で みてこそ、 その すごさ が わかる。
The only way to really appreciate the beauty of Sagrada Família is to see the real thing with your own eyes.
Or how about this next one?
平和があってこそ、自由が存在する。
へいわ が あってこそ、 じゆう が そんざい する。
It is only through peace that we (can) have freedom.
👷 Construction 👷
I already mentioned this earlier, but here is the phrase's pattern:
V て ＋ こそ
it is only through/by/when VERB-ing that...
Two more examples, and you'll have finished yet another N2 lesson.
人は失敗を繰り返し、反省してこそ、成長できる。
ひと は しっぱい を くりかえし、 はんせい してこそ、 せいちょう できる。
The only way for people to grow is to make mistakes and reflect on them.
辛い経験をしてこそ、小さな幸せに感謝できるようになる。
つらい けいけん を してこそ、 ちいさな しあわせ に かんしゃ できる ように なる。
It is only by experiencing hardships that we become able to appreciate small joys.
Finished! Props to you.
Niko
