Translation guide
The English word "each" is used to talk about individual items in a group, often emphasizing them one by one. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is それぞれ (sorezore), but other expressions like 各 (kaku) and counter-based patterns are used depending on context. This guide covers the main ways to express "each" naturally in Japanese.
Referring to every single member of a group, considered separately.
The most common and versatile word for 'each'. It can be used as a noun or adverb. It emphasizes that things are considered individually.
それぞれの部屋にエアコンがあります。
Each room has an air conditioner.
みんなそれぞれ意見が違う。
Everyone has their own opinion.
A prefix meaning 'each' or 'every', used in formal or written contexts. It attaches directly to nouns.
各駅に停車します。
It stops at each station.
各チームから代表者が選ばれた。
A representative was chosen from each team.
Attached to a noun or verb, meaning 'each' or 'every' with a sense of repetition or distribution. Often used with time, place, or person.
この電車は各駅ごとに止まります。
This train stops at each station.
彼は会う人ごとに挨拶する。
He greets each person he meets.
A slightly formal or literary word meaning 'each' or 'every one', often used for people. It can sound old-fashioned.
めいめいが自分の荷物を持ってください。
Each person please take their own luggage.
Expressing 'each' in the sense of 'per' or 'apiece', often with numbers or prices.
A formal pattern meaning 'per' or 'for each'. Common in business, signs, and official contexts.
お一人様につき2個まで。
Up to two per person.
1時間につき1000円です。
It's 1000 yen per hour.
Means 'per' or 'for each', used with units. Slightly less formal than につき, common in everyday speech.
1個あたり100円です。
It's 100 yen each.
一人あたりの費用は5000円です。
The cost per person is 5000 yen.
Attached after a number or quantity, meaning 'each' or 'apiece', indicating equal distribution.
一人に一つずつ配ってください。
Please hand out one to each person.
少しずつ食べてください。
Please eat a little at a time.
Stressing that every individual item or person is included, often with a nuance of 'every single'.
A pattern meaning 'every' or 'each', emphasizing that all items in a group share a property. どの means 'which', but with も it becomes 'every'.
どの学生も試験に合格した。
Each student passed the exam.
どの部屋もきれいだった。
Each room was clean.
Literally 'one by one', used to emphasize doing something to each item individually. Can be used with other counters like 一人一人 (ひとりひとり).
彼は一つ一つの単語を丁寧に説明した。
He carefully explained each word.
一人一人に声をかけた。
I spoke to each person individually.
Expressing mutual action or relationship between two or more people.
The standard way to say 'each other' or 'mutually'. Often used with verbs like 助け合う (help each other).
私達はお互いに助け合うべきだ。
We should help each other.
お互いの文化を尊重しましょう。
Let's respect each other's cultures.
それぞれ is a standalone word and can be used in casual speech. 各 is a prefix attached to nouns and is more formal/written. For example, それぞれの国 (each country) is natural in conversation, while 各国 (かっこく) is common in news.
それぞれの国には独自の文化がある。
Each country has its own culture.
各国の代表が会議に出席した。
Representatives from each country attended the meeting.
While 各 is very common in written Japanese, using it excessively in casual conversation can sound stiff. Stick to それぞれ or みんな for everyday talk.
学生はそれぞれ違う意見を持っている。
Each student has a different opinion.
このりんごは1個100円です。
These apples are 100 yen each.
彼らはお互いに愛し合っている。
They love each other.