Pronunciation: [ah shah koo(n) so(n) goo]
Meaning: to each his own, there's no accounting for taste
Literal translation: (to) each one his taste
Register: normal
Notes: The French expressions à chacun son goût, chacun son goût, à chacun ses goûts, and chacun ses goûts all mean exactly the same thing: they acknowledge that not everyone thinks the same way or likes the same things, that we must tolerate diversity.
The inclusion of the preposition à at the beginning is entirely optional and makes no difference in meaning, nor does it matter in the slightest whether goût is singular or plural.
Example
Je trouve bizarre qu'il n'aime pas le chocolat, mais à chacun son goût !
I find it strange that he doesn't like chocolate, but to each his own!
Interestingly, English speakers use this expression considerably more than the French, though it has been slightly twisted into "chacun à son goût" (literally, "each one to his taste") or "chacun a son goût" ("each one has his taste"). The correct French expression, however, is (à) chacun son goût.
Synonymous expressions
- Des goûts et des couleurs (on ne discute / dispute pas)
Literally, "About tastes and colors (we don't talk / debate)"
- Tous les goûts sont dans la nature
"All tastes are in nature"
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More: French expressions used in English | Expressions with à
