chacun / chacune

Each One with Chacun

Level 2

Chacun and chacune are pronouns used to pick out individuals from a group. As a subject, they take a singular verb and agree with the gender of the noun they replace.

How It Works

1. Gender and Number
Chacun is used for masculine nouns or mixed groups. Chacune is used exclusively for feminine nouns. As a subject, these pronouns are singular: even if you are talking about a thousand people, the verb is in the third-person singular (il/elle form). When chacun follows a plural subject, as in 'Ils ont chacun un vélo', the verb agrees with that plural subject.

2. General Meaning
Beyond referring to specific items in a group, chacun can function as an indefinite pronoun meaning 'everyone' or 'anybody' in a general sense, such as in the proverb Chacun pour soi (Every man for himself).

3. Common Sentence Structures

  • Stand-alone: Chacun a son avis. (Each one/Everyone has their opinion.)
  • With 'de': Chacun de mes amis est venu. (Each of my friends came.)
  • With 'd'entre': Chacun d'entre nous a gagné. (Each one of us won.)
  • After a plural subject: Ils ont chacun un vélo. (They each have a bike.)

4. Possessive Agreement
Agreement depends on the position of chacun. If it is the subject, use singular possessives (son, sa, or ses). If chacun follows a plural subject (apposition), you can use leur or leurs to match the main subject, but using son/sa/ses is also grammatically correct and common in formal writing (e.g., Ils ont chacun leur chambre or Ils ont chacun sa chambre).

5. Pronunciation
In formal speech, you may hear a liaison when chacun is followed by a vowel (e.g., chacun[n] a). This liaison is optional (facultative) and often skipped in casual conversation.

Examples (4)

  1. Les filles sont prêtes ; chacune a son sac.

    The girls are ready; each one has her bag.

    Word by Word: The girls are ready; each one has her bag.

    Here, 'chacune' is used because it refers back to 'les filles' (feminine plural).

  2. Chacun d'entre vous doit signer ce document.

    Each one of you must sign this document.

    Word by Word: Each one of among you must sign this document.

    The phrase 'chacun d'entre vous' is a common way to say 'each one of you'.

  3. Ces pommes coûtent un euro chacune.

    These apples cost one euro each.

    Word by Word: These apples cost one euro each (feminine).

    When used at the end of a sentence to indicate price or distribution, it still agrees with the gender of the item (pomme is feminine).

  4. Chacun de mes frères habite dans une ville différente.

    Each of my brothers lives in a different city.

    Word by Word: Each of my brothers lives in a city different.

    Note that the verb 'habite' is singular because the subject is 'chacun', not 'frères'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'chacun' as an adjective before a noun.

    J'ai lu chacun livre.
    J'ai lu chaque livre.

    Chacun is a pronoun (stands alone). If you want to say 'each book', you must use the adjective chaque.

  • Using a plural verb with 'chacun'.

    Chacun de nous sont contents.
    Chacun de nous est content.

    Even though 'nous' (us) is plural, the subject is 'chacun' (each one), which takes a singular verb.

  • Thinking 'son' cannot follow 'chacun' with a plural subject.

    Different MeaningIls ont chacun son livre.
    Ils ont chacun leur livre.

    Both are correct. With a plural subject and 'chacun', both leur/leurs and son/sa/ses are valid. 'Leur' is very common in modern speech, and 'son' is often used in formal or classical French.

How It Connects

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chacun / chacuneLevel 2Each One with Chacun

Learn This First

To use 'chacun' and 'chacune' correctly, you need to understand that French nouns have gender, as these pronouns must agree with the gender of the noun they are replacing. It is also helpful to understand the related adjective 'chaque' (each) and the basic indefinite articles 'un' and 'une'.

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Words in This Pattern

chacun