adverb / pronoun HSK 4
each · respectively · separately · on one's own
Meaning
各自 means 'each one' or 'respectively,' emphasizing that multiple people or things are doing something individually or separately. It highlights the independent nature of actions or possessions among members of a group.
Usage
各自 is commonly used in written and spoken Mandarin to stress that each person in a group acts independently or has their own version of something. It often appears before verbs to show parallel but separate actions. Native speakers use it when wanting to emphasize individual responsibility or distinction within a collective context.
Examples
- 01会议结束后，大家各自回到自己的办公室。, .After the meeting ended, everyone returned to their own offices separately.
- 02他们各自有各自的想法，很难达成一致。, .They each have their own ideas, so it's hard to reach agreement.
Characters
Common collocations
- 各自为政each acting on their own (idiom)
- 各自回家each go home separately
- 各自的看法each one's own opinion
- 各自负责each be responsible separately
Antonyms
Origin
各 originally meant 'each' or 'every,' while 自 means 'self.' Combined, they form a compound emphasizing individual agency within a group.