Chacun/chacune/chaque = each one/each (French Indefinite Adjectives and Pronouns)

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE
Last updated: 2022-10-20
27 questions

Chacun/chacune and chaque sound similar so it's easy to mix them up.  Here's how to use them correctly.

How to use chacun/chacune and chaque in French

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.

See also the opposite:
Ne ... aucun(e) = None (French Negations)
and Aucun/e … ne = None (French Negations)

Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

Chacune des tables était décorée avec goût.Each one of the tables was decorated tastefully. 
Les filles sont élégantes: chacune porte une robe.The girls are elegant: each one wears a dress.
Chaque jour, cela devient plus facile.Each day, it becomes easier.
Chacune des femmes apporte un plat.Each of the women is bringing a dish.
Chaque pays avait envoyé une délégation.Each country had sent a delegation.
Chacun des lutins a une tâche spécifique.Each one of the elves has a specific task. 
On a le droit à un gâteau chacun.We're allowed one cake each.
Je respecte chacune d'entre elles.I respect each one of them.
I respect every one of them.
Chacun d'entre vous mérite une récompense.Each one of you deserves a reward.
Mais dans chaque maison,  Il flotte un air de fête, But in each house,  There's a festive air,    
Let me take a look at that...