早
JLPT N4
Early, fast
Readings
On’yomi: ソウ (sou)
Kun’yomi: はや(い) (haya(i))
• はや.い (hayai) – early, quick
• はや.まる (hayamaru) – to be hasty, to act prematurely
• はや.める (hayameru) – to hasten, to quicken
Structure
Composition:
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Detailed Explanation
Vocabulary
早い
はやい
early
早朝
そうちょう
early morning
早口
はやくち
fast talk
早速
さっそく
immediately
早起き
はやおき
early rising
Example Sentences
早く起きます。
はやく おきます。
I wake up early.
早速始めましょう。
さっそく はじめましょう。
Let’s start right away.
Cultural Note
🌞 Punctuality and “being early” are highly valued in Japanese culture.
• Arriving even five minutes early is seen as good manners — this reflects the spirit of 早.
• Common saying: 「早起きは三文の徳」(はやおき は さんもん の とく) – “Early rising brings three coins of virtue.”
→ It means getting up early brings small but meaningful benefits — success, health, and peace.
• The kanji 早 often appears in words related to discipline and readiness, qualities deeply respected in Japan (e.g., early work, early discovery, early effort).
• Arriving even five minutes early is seen as good manners — this reflects the spirit of 早.
• Common saying: 「早起きは三文の徳」(はやおき は さんもん の とく) – “Early rising brings three coins of virtue.”
→ It means getting up early brings small but meaningful benefits — success, health, and peace.
• The kanji 早 often appears in words related to discipline and readiness, qualities deeply respected in Japan (e.g., early work, early discovery, early effort).