JLPT N1 grammar

〜ばこそmeaning and usage

Meaning

Because of A (strong emphasis)

How to form it

  • verb (ba-form)こそ
  • い-adjective stem (without い)ければこそ
  • noun/な-adjective (stem)であればこそ

How it is used

'Precisely because A, B': stresses A as the real reason, often to explain good intentions that might be misread. More written and emphatic than 「〜からこそ」. It is not a hypothetical 'if'.

Examples

  1. 健康であればこそ、楽しく過ごせる。

    It's precisely because I'm healthy that I can enjoy life.

  2. 若ければこそ、失敗を恐れずに挑戦できる。

    It's precisely because you're young that you can take on challenges without fearing failure.

  3. 親が口うるさいのも、子どもを心配すればこそだ。

    Parents nag precisely because they worry about their children.