Translation guide
Expressing the time period shortly after waking or before the day's activities begin. Japanese offers several common words and phrases, with nuances of formality, exact timing, and context.
To say 'early in the morning' in a neutral, everyday sense.
A common adverbial phrase meaning 'early in the morning'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
I have to get up early in the morning tomorrow.
I like taking a walk early in the morning.
A slightly more formal noun meaning 'early morning'. Often used in written contexts or announcements.
I'll take an early morning flight.
Literally 'the early hours of the morning'. A descriptive phrase that can be used in various contexts.
The phone rang early in the morning.
To emphasize the very early hours, around dawn or before sunrise.
Refers to the time around dawn, when the sky begins to lighten. Often used in literary or descriptive contexts.
I woke up at dawn.
Dawn, daybreak. Similar to 明け方 but can also refer to the moment the sun rises.
A literary or formal term for early morning, often used in religious or poetic contexts.
To use 'early in the morning' as a time reference in a sentence, often with verbs like 'leave', 'arrive', or 'start'.
朝早く (あさはやく) is an adverbial phrase used in everyday conversation. 早朝 (そうちょう) is a noun often used in formal or written contexts, such as news reports or schedules. For casual speech, 朝早く is more natural.
I go jogging early in the morning.
Early morning jogging feels good.
The phrase '早い朝に' (はやい あさに) is not natural Japanese. Use 朝早く or other established expressions instead.
I like to study early in the morning.
The store opens early in the morning.
夜明け前に出発しよう。
Let's leave before dawn.
Offer an early morning prayer.
Let's finish the homework early in the morning.