1.
to each their own; it depends on the person; everyone is different
Expresses the idea that opinions, preferences, or circumstances vary from person to person. Used to acknowledge individual differences without passing judgment.
好みは人それぞれだ。
Preferences differ from person to person.
幸せの形は人それぞれだと思う。
I think the shape of happiness is different for everyone.
考え方は人それぞれだから、無理に合わせる必要はない。
Ways of thinking differ from person to person, so there's no need to force agreement.
A widely used expression meaning that something naturally varies by individual. Often appears as ～は人それぞれだ, where the topic marker は introduces the thing that varies.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ～は人それぞれだ: ... differs from person to person
- 人それぞれの～: each person's own ...
- 人それぞれだから: since everyone is different
USAGE:
Frequently used to express tolerance or to deflect arguments about subjective matters. Can serve as a conversation-closer when opinions clash. In some contexts, it can sound dismissive, as though the speaker is avoiding engagement with the topic.
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 十人十色: ten people, ten colors — a proverb with the same core meaning but a more literary feel
- それぞれ: each; respectively — the base word, used for things and people alike