???? What is this grammar?
〜ばこそ is a formal, literary grammar structure used to:
- Express a strong reason or motive, often for something positive or emotional
- Emphasize that “precisely because of A, B happens”
- The nuance is that it’s only because of A, so B happens — with a strong, sometimes surprising or touching tone.
???? Structure
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (ば-form) + こそ | 信じればこそ | Because I believe |
| い-adjective (く) + ばこそ | 嬉しくてこそ | Because I’m happy |
| な-adjective / Noun + であればこそ | 元気であればこそ | Because you’re healthy |
???? Meaning in Context
It’s used when:
- Expressing the real, heartfelt reason behind something
- Often used to express gratitude, trust, love, or regret
- Implies “if it weren’t for A, B wouldn’t happen”
English equivalents:
- “It is precisely because…”
- “Only because…”
- “Thanks to…”
???? Example Sentences
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| あなたのことを信じればこそ、こんなお願いをするのです。 | It is precisely because I trust you that I ask this favor. |
| 親の愛情があればこそ、子どもは健やかに育つのだ。 | Only because of parental love do children grow up healthy. |
| 苦しければこそ、成功した時の喜びも大きい。 | It’s precisely because it’s hard that the joy of success is so great. |
| 努力すればこそ、夢は叶うのだ。 | It is only through effort that dreams come true. |
| 健康であればこそ、人生を楽しめるのだ。 | It is precisely because you’re healthy that you can enjoy life. |
???? Nuances & Tone
- Highly formal and emotional
- Emphasizes that A is the exact, irreplaceable reason for B
- Often used in:
- Speeches
- Thank-you messages
- Ceremonial addresses
- Literary writing
???? Comparison with Similar Patterns
| Expression | Meaning | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| 〜からこそ | Precisely because | Neutral, spoken/written |
| 〜ばこそ | Precisely because | More formal, emotional |
| 〜ので | Because | Neutral, factual |
| 〜だから | Because | Casual |
Example:
- 努力するからこそ、夢は叶う。→ natural, everyday
- 努力すればこそ、夢は叶う。→ formal, moving, heartfelt
✅ Practice Exercise
Translate into Japanese using ～ばこそ:
- It is because I love you that I worry about you.
- Only because we believe can we move forward.
- It’s precisely because it’s difficult that it’s worth doing.
Possible Answers:
- 愛していればこそ、心配するのです。
- 信じればこそ、前に進めるのです。
- 難しければこそ、やりがいがあるのです。
???? Summary Table
| Grammar | ～ばこそ |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Precisely because, only because |
| Structure | Verb (ば-form) + こそ |
| Nuance | Formal, emotional, heartfelt |
| Usage | Ceremonial speeches, thank-you notes, literary works |
???? Pro Tip:
You’ll see this in:
- N1 reading and listening tests
- Formal speeches
- Thank-you messages
- Traditional literature
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