Chacun, chacune, chaque = each, each one (indefinite adjectives and pronouns)

Aurélie Drouard

2019-04-30

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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 [thing], 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/chacune des [choses] : each of [things]

To say each/every one of [things], you use chacun/chacune 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/chacune d'entre nous/vous/eux/elles (stress pronouns)

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/chacune on their own = each one, every one

To say each/every [one], you use chacun / 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 therefore agrees in gender with the person/group/thing it refers to.

ATTENTION

You cannot write chaque un as two words.

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Examples and resources

Mais dans chaque maison, Il flotte un air de fête, But in each house, There's a festive air,