N1 Comparison and Contrast

~こそ〜が/けれど: meaning, usage and examples

~こそ〜が/けれど means: it's true that... but...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. このカバンは、デザインこそ古ふるいが、とても丈夫じょうぶだ。

   It's true that this bag's design is old, but it's very durable.

2. 値段ねだんこそ高たかいけれど、それだけの価値かちはある。

   The price is indeed high, but it's worth it.

3. 田中たなかさんは口数くちかずこそ少すくないが、仕事しごとは誰だれよりも丁寧ていねいだ。

   Mr. Tanaka may not talk much, but he works more carefully than anyone.

4. 結果けっかこそ出でなかったが、この経験けいけんは無駄むだではなかった。

   It is true that we did not get results, but this experience was not wasted.

When to use it

Admits one fact and then contrasts it with a more important one, like "it is true that X, but Y." The admitted point is usually a weakness and the second point a strength, or the reverse. Example: 値段ねだんこそ高たかいが、品質ひんしつは確たしかだ (the price is high, yes, but the quality is reliable).

Nuance

Neutral to slightly formal; common in writing and careful speech. こそ marks the concession, so the speaker is conceding a point before making the real argument. The two clauses must contrast; if both are positive or both negative, the pattern does not work.

Compare

Plain は〜が is the everyday way: 値段ねだんは高たかいが、品質ひんしつはいい. With こそ the concession sounds more deliberate. Do not confuse it with emphatic こそ alone (今年ことしこそ合格ごうかくする, this year for sure), which has no "but" and no concession.

Tip: If you can say "admittedly X, but Y" in English, こそ〜が probably fits. Without the contrasting second clause, こそ means emphasis instead.