1.
individually; separately; one by one; case by case
Adverbial form of the na-adjective/noun 個別 ('individual, separate'). Indicates that an action applies to each person or item one at a time rather than collectively. Common in business, educational, and administrative contexts for describing tailored handling of cases, requests, or instruction.
個別に対応します。
We will respond individually.
問題は個別に判断する必要がある。
Each issue needs to be judged on a case-by-case basis.
ご質問については、この会議のあとで個別にお答えいたします。
As for your questions, I'll answer them individually after this meeting.
Formed from the na-adjective/noun 個別 ('individual, separate') + the adverbial particle に. Widely used in formal and business settings to stress that treatment or handling is tailored to each case rather than uniform.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 個別に対応する: to handle/respond individually
- 個別に相談する: to consult one-on-one
- 個別に判断する: to judge case by case
- 個別に説明する: to explain to each person separately
- 個別に連絡する: to contact individually
- 個別に指導する: to teach/coach one-on-one
SIMILAR WORDS:
- それぞれ: each, respectively — emphasizes the set as a whole with distinctions; more neutral in tone
- 別々に: separately — emphasizes not mixing together (e.g., payment, packaging)
- 一人一人: one by one (for people) — stresses the human individual
- 一つずつ: one at a time — emphasizes sequential handling of items
CONTRAST:
- 個別に対応する: respond individually (each case addressed on its own terms)
- まとめて対応する: handle together/in a batch (the opposite approach)