早
KANJI DETAIL
early
On readingそう6 strokesN5
Radical 日 · sunStroke order
Loading the stroke order for 早.
Japanese readings
- On reading
- そう
- Kun reading
- はや, はやい, はやまる, はやめる
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
早has 6 strokes;早いis readはやい, and早速is readさっそく. - Basic usage:
早いdescribes an early time or something done quickly;早速describes acting right away without delay.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- An early time and immediate action
一時間早く家を出たmeans leaving home one hour earlier than usual.仕事が早いdescribes working quickly, so the temporal focus differs between the two uses.早速履いて出かけたmeans putting on the shoes and going out immediately after buying them.早速is readさっそくand focuses on acting promptly after an occasion or trigger.