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こそ

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: こぞ and ごぞ

Japanese

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Etymology

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From Old Japanese.

Possibly derived from (ko, this) + (so, Old Japanese emphatic particle). (Can this(+) etymology be sourced?)

Particle

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こそ (koso

  1. emphatic particle used for emphasis: it is ... that
    今日(きょう)こそやる
    Kyō koso, yaru zo!
    Today is the day I'm gonna do it!
    (きみ)()だからこそこれほど(がん)()いる
    Kimi ga suki da kara koso kore hodo ganbatte iru n da yo.
    It's because I like you [because of my fondness for you] that I'm working this hard.
    1. used in set phrases when returning a greeting or apology to someone
      ありがとうございます!」「こちらこそ!」
      “Arigatō gozaimasu!”“Kochira koso!”
      "Thank you very much!" "Thank you, too!" (lit. "It is me who should say thank you.")

Usage notes

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Derived terms

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Suffix

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こそ (-koso

  1. (archaic) used for calling or appealing

Old Japanese

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Etymology

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Possibly derived from (ko2, this) +‎ (so2, empathic particle). (Can this(+) etymology be sourced?)

Particle

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こそ (ko2so2)

  1. emphatic particle used for emphasis
  2. sentence-ending particle expressing humility
  3. sentence-ending particle expressing hope for others

Descendants

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  • Japanese: こそ (koso)