こちらこそ

こちらこそ · kochirakoso · JLPT N2 · noun

sol

こちら (me, this side) + こそ (emphasis particle, indeed) = it is ME who should say it

こそ puts emphasis on the word before it. こちら points to the speaker, so the phrase stresses that the speaker is the one who owes the thanks or greeting.

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