The pronouns 每 and 各
The pronouns 每 and 各 have a similar translation, with both translating as “every”.
How to use the pronouns 每 and 各
The two pronouns 每 
and 各 have a similar meaning “every, each”.
Sometimes they are interchangeable. For example, to express the phrase “every guest” we can use either 每 or 各:
各位来宾
每位来宾
and 各 have a similar meaning “every, each”.
Sometimes they are interchangeable. For example, to express the phrase “every guest” we can use either 每 or 各:
各位来宾
每位来宾 However in most of cases 每 and 各 are used in different contexts because they have slightly different shades of meaning.
The pronoun 每 refers to a group and emphasizes wholeness. It is used when each unit of the same group has a common feature.
Examples
每种花都很好看
Every flower is beautiful
měi zhòng huā dōu hěn hǎokàn
The pronoun 各 is used more for referring to individuals. It can be translated as “every single one”. It is often used when each unit of a group is different from the others.
Examples
各种花有各的特色
Each flower has its own characteristics
gè zhòng huā yǒu gè de tèsè
The parts of speech that 每 is used with
We can state 每 before nouns. In this case, we often state the adverb 都 after a noun and before a predicate to summarize what was said before.
after a noun and before a predicate to summarize what was said before. Pay attention
Remember that we must use a measure word between 每 and the noun.
Examples
每个人都有自己的梦想
Everyone has a dream
měi ge rén dōu yǒu zìjǐ de mèngxiǎng
他每周都去老家看父母
He visited his parents in his hometown every week
tā měi zhōu dōu qù lǎojiā kàn fùmǔ
Pay attention
However with some nouns we do not use a measure word at all. For example, with nouns such as:
天
周
年
In this case, we state a noun right after the word 每:
每天 — every day;
每周 — every week.
周
年
In this case, we state a noun right after the word 每:
每天 — every day;
每周 — every week.We also use 每 with a numeral.
Examples
她的每一幅画有奇特
Each of her paintings has a peculiarity about them
tā de měi yì fú huà yǒu qítè
乌克兰每四年举行一次总统选举
Ukraine holds presidential elections every four years
wūkèlán měi sì nián jǔxíng yī cì zǒngtǒng xuǎnjǔ
We also can use 每 as an adverb. In this case, we should state it before a verb. It’s translated as “every time”, “all the time”.
Pay attention
In this construction, the verb should be followed by a numeral 一 with a measure word.
with a measure word.Examples
他几乎每说一句话就停下来
He pauses after almost every word he says
tā jīhū měi shuō yí jù huà jiù tíngxiàlai
The parts of speech that 各 is used with
We can state 各 before nouns. We should use 各 with collective nouns (which denote a group of objects).
Pay attention
We rarely use a measure word after 各. When we do use a measure word, it should be one of the following:
个 similar to the English article “a”, “an”
位 a measure word for addressing a person in a formal way
种
similar to the English article “a”, “an”
位 a measure word for addressing a person in a formal way
种 Examples
各参赛队的运动员都表现出自己的能力
Athletes from each team showed off their abilities
gè cānsài duì de yùndòngyuán dōu biǎoxiànchū zìjǐ de nénglì
她到各商店搜罗便宜货
She went to every store looking for bargains
tā dào gè shāngdiàn sōuluó piányihuò
We often use 各位 when referring to a group of people, or when listing each person in the group.
Examples
各位新年快乐！
Happy New Year everyone!
gè wèi xīnnián kuàilè
各位请坐
Please take your seats
gè wèi qǐng zuò
The phrase 各种 has the meaning of “various”, “all kinds of”.
Examples
他对各种艺术有兴趣
He's into all kinds of art
tā duì gè zhǒng yìshù yǒu xìngqù
针对冠状病毒有各种的疫苗
There are various vaccines for Coronavirus
zhēnduì guānzhuàng bìngdú yǒu gè zhǒng de yìmiáo
Pay attention
Remember the set expression 各种各样
We should state the expression 各种各样 before nouns. We should also state the particle 的 between them.
between them.Examples
我家里还是有各种各样的光盘
I still have all kinds of CDs at home
wǒ jiālǐ háishì yǒu gèzhǒng gèyàng de guāngpán
In some cases, 各 can be an adverb and it can be stated before a verb.
Examples
这几种水果他各买了一斤
He bought a pound of each of these fruits
zhè jǐ zhǒng shuǐguǒ tā gè mǎi le yì jīn