chaque
/ʃak/
The English phrase "each" is translated into French as chaque.
Meaning: every (det)
Which one should you use?
The distinction between the determiner and the pronoun is important: use chaque when it is followed immediately by a noun, whereas chacun is used as a pronoun to replace a noun.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
chaque is an invariable determiner, meaning it does not change its form for gender or number. However, its related pronoun form must agree in gender with the noun it replaces: chacun is used for masculine nouns and chacune is used for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃak/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using chaque as a pronoun. For example, do not say chaque est… Instead, use the pronoun form chacun est… Remember that chaque must always be followed by a noun.
Did you know?
- The word chaque is a linguistic accident caused by speakers mistakenly trying to shorten an older word. They believed chascun was a compound and stripped the end off to create the shorter version used today.
- The pronoun chacun is used in the famous French proverb chacun son goût, which is the equivalent of the English 'to each their own'.
- French uses chacun to express the idea of 'each' when acting as a subject, but for the phrase 'each of us', the expression chacun de nous is used regardless of the group's gender.
Examples in context
- Écris chaque mot !Write down each word.This sentence demonstrates the use of chaque with a noun.Tatoeba #3671099 by sacredceltic, translation #1624883 by marcelostockle
- Chaque garçon a un vélo.Each boy has a bike.Tatoeba #12922 by mouche, translation #37500 by Eldad
- Chaque piano est différent.Each piano is different.Tatoeba #11918910 by Rovo, translation #13307231 by Lebensfreude
- Chaque étudiant doit rendre son devoir avant la fin de la semaine.Each student must submit their assignment before the end of the week.
- Tout un chacun est invité à assister à la réunion importante demain.Everybody is invited to attend the important meeting tomorrow.
- Chacun doit prendre ses responsabilités.Each one must take their own responsibilities.
- On doit se débrouiller chacun pour soi dans cette compétition.We have to fend for ourselves, each of us, in this competition.
- Je me sens ému à chaque fois que j'écoute cette chanson.I feel moved each time I listen to this song.
- On joue à tour de rôle. Chacun son tour.We take turns playing. Each one's turn.
- 212 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are organizing a small library.
- EmmaEst-ce que tu as lu chaque livre ?Have you read each book?
- NathanNon, je n'ai pas fini.No, I haven't finished.
- EmmaNathan, aide-moi avec le rangement.Nathan, help me with the tidying.
- NathanD'accord, je range tout de suite.Okay, I'll tidy up right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “each” translations and entries chaque, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chaque, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
