Chacun/chacune and chaque sound similar so it's easy to mix them up. Here's how to use them correctly.
To express 'each/every' in French, there are different expressions depending on sentences:
chaque <chose> : each <thing>
To say 'each/every (something)', you use chaque + singular noun.
Chaque pays avait envoyé une délégation.
Each country had sent a delegation.
Chaque jour, cela devient plus facile.
Each day, it becomes easier.
chacun(e) des <choses> : each of (things)
To say 'each/every one of (something)', you use chacun(e) des + plural noun.
Chacune des femmes apporte un plat.
Each of the women is bringing a dish.
Chacun des lutins a une tâche spécifique.
Each one of the elves has a specific task.
Chacune des tables était décorée avec goût.
Each one of the tables was decorated tastefully.
ATTENTION
To say 'each one of us / you / them', you use chacun(e) d'entre nous / vous / eux/elles
Chacun d'entre vous mérite une récompense.
Each one of you deserves a reward.
Je respecte chacune d'entre elles.
I respect each one of them.
I respect every one of them.
chacun and chacune alone
To say 'each/every [one]', you use chacun or chacune.
Les filles sont élégantes: chacune porte une robe.
The girls are elegant: each one wears a dress.
On a le droit à un gâteau chacun.
We're allowed one cake each.
Chacun applies to nouns and was originally the contraction of "chaque un / chaque une". It agrees in gender with the person/group/thing it refers to.
Note: You cannot write "chaque un" as two words.
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
On a le droit à un gâteau chacun.
We're allowed one cake each.
Les filles sont élégantes: chacune porte une robe.
The girls are elegant: each one wears a dress.
Chacune des tables était décorée avec goût.
Each one of the tables was decorated tastefully.
Chacun des lutins a une tâche spécifique.
Each one of the elves has a specific task.
Mais dans chaque maison,
Il flotte un air de fête,
But in each house,
There's a festive air,
Chaque pays avait envoyé une délégation.
Each country had sent a delegation.
Chacun d'entre vous mérite une récompense.
Each one of you deserves a reward.
Chacune des femmes apporte un plat.
Each of the women is bringing a dish.
Je respecte chacune d'entre elles.
I respect each one of them.
I respect every one of them.
Chaque jour, cela devient plus facile.
Each day, it becomes easier.
John
Kwiziq community member
6 October 2016
1 reply
Verb conjuction after Chaqun(e) des .....
I noticed in the examples the conjugation is in the singular form and not plural, ie, chaqune des femmes apporte un plat (and not apportent un plat). Is there a simple way to explain this for me to remember (ie I want to say "chaqune des femmes" is more than one lady, so it is "they", so it's "elles apportent". I know its not the case here, but not sure why...?)
Laura
Kwiziq language super star
6 October 2016
6/10/16