それぞれ
sorezore
The Japanese word for "each" is それぞれ (sorezore).
それぞれ is used to express that items or people are distinct or individual. A common idiomatic way to express that everyone is different or to say "to each their own" is the phrase 人それぞれ (hito sorezore).
Meaning: every (det)
Which one should you use?
While それぞれ emphasizes the individuality or distinctness of each item, the prefix 各 (kaku) is more formal and focuses more on the distributive aspect of "each" within a group.
How does it change in a sentence?
それぞれ is versatile in its grammatical function.
How do you pronounce it?
sorezore
Did you know?
- The word それぞれ is formed by repeating それ, which means 'that'. The sound changes from 're' to 'ze' because of a linguistic phenomenon called rendaku.
- In Japanese pop culture, それぞれ often carries a poetic nuance of 'everyone having their own story' and is a common theme in anime and song lyrics.
- In highly formal Japanese, それぞれ is often replaced by 各自 when referring to 'each person' in a professional or military context.
Examples in context
- 人それぞれだよ。To each their own.Tatoeba #11257926 by sh5555, translation #8085540 by deniko
- 年、それぞれです。Each year is different.Tatoeba #12453477 by small_snow, translation #5747775 by CM
- 猫それぞれに個性があります。Each cat has its own personality.Tatoeba #9533958 by small_snow, translation #376332 by saeb
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are discussing how to assign tasks for a group project.
- 結衣 Yui役割は、それぞれに割り振ろうよ。yakuwari wa, sorezore ni wariburou yo.Let's assign roles to each person.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣さんの意見に賛成だよ。Yui-san no iken ni sansei dayo.I agree with your opinion, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くんの得意なことは何かな？Hiroto-kun no tokui na koto wa nani kana?What is something you are good at, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hiroto僕は資料作りが得意だよ。Boku wa shiryouzukuri ga tokui dayo.I am good at making documents.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries それぞれ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
