各 + 动词 + 各 + 的
each does his own; each goes his own way
Structure
（复数主语） 各 动词 各 的 （名词）
What it means
Everyone acts separately, each for himself: 各说各的 (each says his own piece), 各付各的 (each pays for himself).
How it is built
Plural subject + 各 + verb + 各 + 的 (+ noun): 你们俩各说各的理 (You two each stick to your own argument). With a one-syllable noun drop 的: 各回各家.
When to use it
Spoken and vivid; it often hints that people are not listening to each other or not pulling together. A noun after 的 names what each has: 各有各的难处.
Watch out
Same verb in both halves, and a plural subject. ✗ 各说各听 ✓ 各说各的.
Examples
你们俩呀，各说各的理，吵了半辈子了。
You two, each sticking to your own argument, have been at it for half your lives.
吃完年夜饭，亲戚们各回各家，屋里一下子安静了。
After the New Year’s Eve dinner the relatives all went back to their own homes, and the house was suddenly quiet.
兄弟俩住在一个屋檐下，却各过各的日子，一年也说不上几句话。
The two brothers live under one roof, yet each leads his own life, and they barely exchange a few words a year.
Learn this in Lesson 219 · HSK 9+: 俗语打架 (When proverbs disagree)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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