JLPT N1 Grammar: ～ばこそ | Precisely Because…

By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025

📘 Meaning & Usage

The expression ～ばこそ is used to emphasize that something happened or is done precisely because of a certain reason. It often implies that the speaker is aware that the reason may not be obvious to others and is highlighting it intentionally.

Structure:

• Verb (ば-form) + こそ
• Noun + であればこそ

Typical Usage:

• Emphasis on a special or unexpected reason
• Often used in formal or literary contexts

💡 Example Sentences

• 親身になってくれるあなたであればこそ、相談する気になった。
  It’s precisely because you’re so caring that I felt like confiding in you.
• 愛していればこそ、厳しく叱るのです。
  It’s precisely because I love you that I scold you harshly.
• 苦労すればこそ、成功の喜びも大きい。
  It’s precisely because of the hardships that the joy of success is great.
• 信頼していればこそ、大事な仕事を任せるのです。
  It is precisely because I trust you that I assign you such an important task.

📝 Grammar Notes

• Used to highlight cause or motivation behind an action.
• Can be paraphrased as: “If it weren’t for…” in negative scenarios.
• であればこそ is the most natural combination with nouns.

⚠ Avoid overusing ～ばこそ in casual conversation — it’s more common in written or formal speech.

📝 Practice Exercises

1. Fill in the blanks

1. 彼を信頼していれ＿＿＿＿、このプロジェクトを任せた。
2. 家族を愛していれ＿＿＿＿、心配して当然だ。
3. あなたの助けがあれ＿＿＿＿、ここまで来られなかった。

✔ Answers:

• ばこそ
• ばこそ
• であればこそ

2. Translate into Japanese using ～ばこそ

1. It’s precisely because I care that I’m telling you this.
2. He succeeded precisely because he never gave up.
3. Because it’s you, I can be honest.

✔ Sample Answers:

• 心配していればこそ、君にこれを言っている。
• あきらめなかったからこそ、彼は成功した。
• あなたであればこそ、正直に話せる。

📚 Related Grammar

• ～からこそ: Exactly because… (less formal)
• ～ゆえに: Therefore, because of (formal)
• ～だけに: All the more because…

🧠 Summary

• Meaning: Precisely because…
• Structure: Verb (ば-form) + こそ | Noun + であればこそ
• Usage: Formal emphasis on reason or motivation
• JLPT Level: N1

thuandao

I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.