When do I use 每 vs 各?

Use 每 when you want to say 'every' in a collective sense, often with 都 to mean 'all without exception'. Use 各 when you want to emphasize 'each' as an individual, especially when the members are distinct or have different properties. For example, in '每天' (every day) use 每; in '各国' (each country, emphasizing different laws) use 各.

Can 各 be used with 都?

Yes, 各 can be used with 都, though it is less common than 每+都. When 各+都 is used, it adds emphasis that the statement applies to each and every individual (e.g., '各国都有不同的法律' – each country has different laws). This is perfectly correct and natural.

Do I always need a classifier after 每?

In most cases, yes. 每 must be followed by a classifier or measure word when it modifies a noun (e.g., 每个, 每天, 每次). However, in fixed patterns like '每来一次' (every time one comes), 每 is directly before a verb, but this is an exception. In standard usage, never write '每学生'; always use '每个学生'.

Is there a difference in formality between 每 and 各?

Yes, 各 is slightly more formal and is common in written, official, or academic language. 每 is neutral and used in both speech and writing. For example, official documents might use '各国' and '各地' where spoken Chinese might prefer '每个国家' and '每个地方'.

Easily confusedHSK 3

每 vs 各 (měi vs gè): every vs each

每 (měi) means 'every' and emphasizes uniformity across all members of a group, often paired with 都 (dōu) to express 'all without exception'. 各 (gè) means 'each' and stresses individuality or distinctness, though it can also appear with 都 to indicate that a condition applies to each member individually. The core distinction lies in collective vs. individual perspective, not in compatibility with 都.

每 (měi) and 各 (gè) are both distributive determiners, but they differ in focus: 每 views members of a set as a uniform whole (collective 'every'), while 各 views them as separate individuals (emphatic 'each'). 每 almost always requires a classifier (e.g., 每个, 每天) and is commonly followed by 都 to reinforce universality. 各 attaches directly to certain nouns (e.g., 各国, 各人) or classifiers (e.g., 各个, 各种) and emphasizes distinctness, but contrary to a common misconception, 各 can indeed be used with 都 (e.g., 各国都有) to mean 'each and every one has'. The choice between them depends on whether you want to stress 'all alike' (每) or 'each individually' (各).

When to use each

每měi

every

Use 每 to express 'every' in a collective sense, emphasizing that the same property holds for all members. It must be followed by a classifier or measure word (e.g., 每个, 每天, 每次). 每 is often accompanied by 都 to indicate 'all without exception' (e.g., 每个人都知道).

In time expressions like 每天, 每年, 每次, 每 is the standard choice; 各 is not used. Additionally, 每 can sometimes appear without a classifier in verb phrases (e.g., 每来一次) but this is a fixed pattern.

各gè

each

Use 各 to emphasize the individuality of each member in a group. 各 often attaches directly to nouns (e.g., 各国, 各人, 各地) or to classifiers like 个 and 种 (e.g., 各个, 各种). It can also appear in set phrases such as 各自 (each one himself/herself) and 各有所长 (each has its strengths).

各 is slightly more formal than 每 and is common in written or official language. Contrary to some claims, 各 can combine with 都 to mean 'each and every' (e.g., 各人都有自由). However, 各+都 is optional and less frequent than 每+都.

At a glance

	每	各
Core meaning	Every (collective, uniform)	Each (individual, distinct)
Classifier requirement	Must be followed by a classifier or measure word (e.g., 每个, 每天)	Can attach directly to nouns (e.g., 各国) or to a few classifiers (e.g., 各个)
Use with 都	Very common and natural (e.g., 每个人都来了)	Possible but less frequent; adds individual emphasis (e.g., 各国都有)
Formality	Neutral, used in both speech and writing	Slightly formal, common in official or written language
Time expressions	Standard (e.g., 每天, 每年)	Not used (e.g., 各天 is incorrect)
Alone as a determiner	Cannot stand alone; always requires a noun or classifier	Can stand before certain nouns without a classifier (e.g., 各人, 各地)

Examples

每
每个人都有自己的梦想。
Měi gè rén dōu yǒu zì jǐ de mèng xiǎng.
Every person has their own dream.
Uses 每 with classifier 个 and 都 to emphasize 'all people without exception'.
各
各国都有不同的法律。
Gè guó dōu yǒu bù tóng de fǎ lǜ.
Each country has different laws.
Uses 各 directly with 国, and 都 is used to stress that this applies to every country individually.
每
我每天跑步锻炼。
Wǒ měi tiān pǎo bù duàn liàn.
I run every day for exercise.
Time expression 每天 is a fixed use of 每; 各 cannot replace it.
各
各有所长，各有所短。
Gè yǒu suǒ cháng, gè yǒu suǒ duǎn.
Each has strengths and weaknesses.
Set phrase using 各 alone (without classifier) to emphasize individual differences.
每
每个人都应该遵守规则。
Měi gè rén dōu yīng gāi zūn shǒu guī zé.
Everyone should follow the rules.
Uniform application: 'every person' without highlighting individuality.
各
各地气候不同。
Gè dì qì hòu bù tóng.
The climate is different in each place.
Uses 各 + 地 to emphasize that each place is distinct.

Common mistakes

Using 各 for time expressions: '各天' is unnatural; use 每天 for 'every day'.
Omitting the classifier after 每: '每学生' is wrong; must say '每个学生'.
Using 各 alone as a subject without a noun (e.g., '各来了') except in fixed phrases; '各' needs a noun or classifier (e.g., 各位, 各国).
Thinking 各 cannot be used with 都: in fact, 各 can combine with 都 (e.g., 各国都有), though it is less common than 每+都.

FAQ

When do I use 每 vs 各?: Use 每 when you want to say 'every' in a collective sense, often with 都 to mean 'all without exception'. Use 各 when you want to emphasize 'each' as an individual, especially when the members are distinct or have different properties. For example, in '每天' (every day) use 每; in '各国' (each country, emphasizing different laws) use 各.
Can 各 be used with 都?: Yes, 各 can be used with 都, though it is less common than 每+都. When 各+都 is used, it adds emphasis that the statement applies to each and every individual (e.g., '各国都有不同的法律' – each country has different laws). This is perfectly correct and natural.
Do I always need a classifier after 每?: In most cases, yes. 每 must be followed by a classifier or measure word when it modifies a noun (e.g., 每个, 每天, 每次). However, in fixed patterns like '每来一次' (every time one comes), 每 is directly before a verb, but this is an exception. In standard usage, never write '每学生'; always use '每个学生'.
Is there a difference in formality between 每 and 各?: Yes, 各 is slightly more formal and is common in written, official, or academic language. 每 is neutral and used in both speech and writing. For example, official documents might use '各国' and '各地' where spoken Chinese might prefer '每个国家' and '每个地方'.