Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Each" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "each", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
各自
かくじ (kakuji)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
十人十色
じゅうにんといろ (juunintoiro)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "each" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 各自 and 十人十色.
In Japanese, 各自 (かくじ (kakuji)) is typically associated with "Each person, individually, respectively" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Used to instruct or describe actions that each individual should perform on their own. Often implies responsibility or independence..
On the other hand, 十人十色 (じゅうにんといろ (juunintoiro)) maps to "To each their own" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "each" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "各自"
昼食は各自で用意してください。
Please prepare your own lunch.
Bilingual Context for "十人十色"
毎日、日本語を練習するために十人十色。
Every day, I each their own to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "昼食は ＿＿＿ で用意してください。" (Meaning: "Please prepare your own lunch.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "各自" fits here because it means "Each person, individually, respectively" in the context of: "Please prepare your own lunch.". "十人十色" represents "To each their own".