particle

1. it is ... that ...; precisely; in particular; definitely; for sure; only (when, after, because, etc.) (emphasizes preceding word or phrase)
2. although; while; it is the case that ... but (as こそあれ, こそすれ, こそするが, etc.)
3. it is precisely because ... that ...; only because ... (after conditional -ba form of verb)
4. formal not at all; not in the slightest; absolutely not; never (after -nai stem of verb + ば)