The word 各自 is formed through the complementary combination of two independent characters, each contributing a core aspect of the shared concept. The first character, 各, carries the meaning of "each" or "the individual one", highlighting separation and distinction among items in a group. It is paired with 自, which means "self" or "from oneself", emphasizing intrinsic nature and independent origin. Together, they create a holistic idea where 各 provides the distributive sense ("each one") and 自 injects the notion of self-containment or self-direction, resulting in the integrated meaning of "each by themselves" or "each their own", where individuality and autonomous agency are simultaneously conveyed.