JLPT N2 grammar

〜てこそmeaning and usage

Meaning

Only after doing A can B happen; A is essential for B.

How to form it

  • verb (te-form)こそ
  • nounがあってこそ

How it is used

Stresses that only by doing A does B come true or mean anything. B is often a judgment such as 「分かる」 or 「意味がある」. It sounds more assertive than 「〜て初めて」.

Examples

  1. 日本に来てこそ、日本のことをより深く知ることができる。

    Only by coming to Japan can you get to know the country more deeply.

  2. 自分で作ってこそ、料理の難しさが分かる。

    You only realize how hard cooking is when you do it yourself.

  3. 家族の協力があってこそ、この仕事を続けられた。

    It's only thanks to my family's support that I've been able to keep this job.