Translation guide
Refers to the initial period of something, such as childhood, a career, or a historical era. Japanese expressions vary depending on what 'early years' refers to.
To talk about someone's childhood or early life.
A common, neutral term for early childhood, roughly up to elementary school age.
彼は幼少期を田舎で過ごした。
He spent his early years in the countryside.
Everyday expression meaning 'when (I/you/he etc.) was little'. More conversational than 幼少期.
幼い頃、よく祖母に絵本を読んでもらった。
In my early years, my grandmother often read picture books to me.
Means 'when (I was) a child'. Broader than 幼い頃, can include older childhood.
子供の頃、毎日外で遊んでいた。
In my early years, I played outside every day.
Literary or formal term for early childhood. Often used in titles or historical contexts.
彼の幼年時代は戦争の影に覆われていた。
His early years were overshadowed by war.
To refer to the initial phase of a professional life, business, or undertaking.
General term for 'early period' or 'initial stage'. Can be used for careers, projects, historical periods, etc.
彼はキャリアの初期に多くの失敗を経験した。
He experienced many failures in the early years of his career.
Slightly more conversational than 初期 alone. 'In the early days'.
会社の初期の頃は、社員が5人しかいなかった。
In the early years of the company, there were only five employees.
Specifically for the early years of a career when one is a novice or rookie. Has a nuance of being inexperienced.
駆け出しの頃は、毎日が勉強だった。
In my early years as a rookie, every day was a learning experience.
To describe the beginning phase of a historical age or epoch.
Same as above; the standard term for 'early period' in historical contexts.
江戸時代の初期には、多くの改革が行われた。
In the early years of the Edo period, many reforms were carried out.
Means 'beginning' or 'early part' of a century, era, etc. Often used in formal writing.
In the early years of the 20th century, science and technology advanced rapidly.