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
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.
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.
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