こうして

adverb

like this; in this way; thus

1. like this; in this way; in this manner

Refers to the way something is being done right now, or demonstrates a method. Points to the current situation or a way of doing things that is visible or just described.

こうして持(も)ってください。

Please hold it like this.

こうして二人(ふたり)で話(はな)すのは久(ひさ)しぶりだね。

It's been a while since we talked together like this.

こうして毎日(まいにち)練習(れんしゅう)すれば、きっと上手(じょうず)になる。

If you practice every day like this, you'll surely improve.

2. thus; and so; in this way (narrative)

Used to connect events in a narrative, meaning 'and so' or 'in this way.' Introduces a result or conclusion of preceding events.

こうして二人(ふたり)は出会(であ)った。

And so the two met.

こうして長(なが)い一日(いちにち)が終(お)わった。

Thus the long day came to an end.

何度(なんど)も話(はな)し合(あ)い、こうして問題(もんだい)は解決(かいけつ)した。

After many discussions, the problem was resolved in this way.

Part of the こそあど (ko-so-a-do) demonstrative system: こうして (this way, near speaker), そうして (that way, near listener), ああして (that way, far from both). Sense 2 is extremely common in storytelling and narration to move a plot forward.

Common patterns

Demonstrative: physically showing or referring to a current situation
Narrative connector: linking cause to result at the end of a story segment

Related words

そうして: and then; in that way — points to something previously mentioned
ああして: like that — points to something distant or third-party
このように: in this way — more formal equivalent

Related Words

Related: そうして (and then)

Related: ああして (like that)

Compare: こうやって (like this)

general

Added 2026.5.5 23:17 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

26500/26873_koushite