それぞれ | Grammar

Structure

As an adverb (standalone):

それぞれ + [verb]
[noun] はそれぞれ + [verb]

As a noun modifier:

それぞれの + [noun]

Description

それぞれ means "each", "respectively", or "each one" and is used to emphasize that individual members of a group have their own separate characteristics, actions, or situations. It highlights individuality within a group rather than treating the group as a whole.

As an adverb

それぞれ can directly modify a verb, expressing that each person or thing does something individually.

。

Each student is reading a different book.

。

Everyone ordered what they each liked.

As a noun (with の)

When followed by の, それぞれ functions as a noun modifying another noun, meaning "each person's" or "each one's."

。

Each country has its own culture.

。

Let's hear each person's opinion.

Referring to listed items

それぞれ is used after listing two or more items to indicate that something applies to each of them individually – similar to English "respectively."

たなか田中やまだ山田。

Mr. Tanaka and Mr. Yamada live in Tokyo and Osaka, respectively.

Usage notes

それぞれ can appear at various positions in a sentence – at the beginning, before the verb, or after the subject.
It is similar to おのおの各々（おのおの）, which is more formal and literary.
Unlike ぜんいん全員 (everyone as a whole), それぞれ stresses that each individual is different or acts independently.

Examples

。

The children each returned to their own rooms.

。

Each answer is correct.

。

We each chose a different path.

。

Each color has a different meaning.

。

My older brother and older sister became a doctor and a lawyer, respectively.

。

Each participant introduced themselves.

。

Each person has their own way of thinking.

。

Each member of the team fulfilled their role.

。

Each of these three shops has its own characteristics.

、。

I went on a trip with friends, but we each stayed at different hotels.

。

I want to enjoy the cuisine of each country.

。

Each employee must set their own goals.

References

それぞれBunpro