こそすれ

Japanese

Etymology

From こそ (koso, emphatic particle) + する (suru, “to do”, izenkei form すれ (sure)). This use of izenkei is a remnant of classical 係(かか)り結(むす)び (kakarimusubi).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ko̞so̞ sɨᵝɾe̞]

Conjunction

こそすれ • (koso sure) 

1. (following verbal nouns) Used to confirm the preceding statement and negate the following statement, emphatic.

   プレゼントをもらえるのは喜(よろこ)びこそすれ怒(おこ)ることはない。

   Purezento o moraeru no wa yorokobi koso sure okoru koto wa nai.

   Receiving a present is definitely a happy thing, not an upset.