各々（おのおの、onoおの）
- each

The Japanese word 各々 (おのおの, *onoono*) means "each," "every," "respectively," or "individually." It refers to each member of a group considered separately. It emphasizes that the action or state applies to each person or thing, rather than to the group as a whole. This word highlights the individual aspect within a collective.

⚫︎各々 自分の担当の仕事を進めてください。 Translation: Please proceed with your respective tasks. ⚫︎プレゼントは各々 包装されています。 Translation: The presents are each wrapped. ⚫︎参加者は 各々 意見を発表しました。 Translation: The participants each presented their opinions.

⚫︎Use 各々 when you want to specify that something applies to each individual or item in a group. ⚫︎It's often used in formal or polite situations, but it can be used in casual settings too. ⚫︎It's common in instructions, announcements, and written communication. ⚫︎It typically comes before the verb or describes the subject of the sentence. ⚫︎The subject is often omitted, and understood from context. ⚫︎For example, in instructions, it is frequently used to make the instructions clear and specify what each person should do.

⚫︎The word 各々 is most commonly written in kanji and hiragana: 各々. ⚫︎The reading in hiragana is おのおの. ⚫︎While it is not standard, it could be written 各 to mean similar things, but it is less frequently used, and the meaning can change slightly to simply "each." ⚫︎There is no variation in the okurigana. The second 々 (iteration mark) always follows the first kanji 各. ⚫︎In informal situations, the kanji may sometimes be omitted, leaving only the hiragana おのおの.

⚫︎それぞれ (*sorezore*) - "each," "every," or "respectively" (more common than 各々, can be used in more casual settings). ⚫︎個々 (*koko*) - "each," "individual" (emphasizes the individual nature). ⚫︎一人ずつ (*hitorizutsu*) - "one by one," "each person" (used when referring to individuals).

⚫︎None directly. However, the concept of "together" or "as a whole" is the opposite of the individual emphasis of 各々. Words like 一緒に (*isshoni*) "together" or 全部 (*zenbu*) "all" represent the opposite concept.

試験の結果は、各々 郵送されます。 ・Translation: The results of the exam will be mailed to each person. ・Explanation: This sentence clarifies that the results will be sent individually, to each person who took the exam. The emphasis is on the individual rather than the group.

社員は各々、自分のデスクに戻ってください。 ・Translation: Each employee, please return to your own desk. ・Explanation: This is an example of a directive. It uses 各々 to make it clear that each employee needs to return to their *own* desk, not just one communal desk, or that they all go together. The instruction applies to each person individually.

The word 各々 is a combination of the kanji 各 (*kaku* or *ono*) meaning "each," "every," or "various" and the repetition mark 々, which indicates a repetition of the preceding kanji. The *ono* reading is used here. It's thought to have developed to simplify writing while retaining the intended meaning.