いち早はやく

い

ち

は

や

く

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

adverb

promptly; quickly; without delay

Emphasizes quick action soon after something happens; often used with verbs such as 対応する, 駆けつける, or 動く.

問もん題だいが見みつかると、担たん当とう者しゃはいち早はやく対たい応おうした。
When the problem was found, the person in charge responded promptly.

2

adverb

before others; first; ahead of others

Highlights being earlier than other people or groups, not just being fast in absolute terms.

彼かの女じょはいち早はやく異い変へんに気きづいた。
She noticed the abnormality before anyone else.

Written forms

いち早はやくUsage83%
Standard mixed-kana spelling and the prioritized form.
いちはやくUsage13%
逸早いちはやくUsage3%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji spelling; ordinary writing normally uses いち早く.
逸速いちはやく
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji spelling; ordinary writing normally uses いち早く.

Kanji

早early, fast
逸deviate, idleness, leisure
速quick, fast

Similar words

すぐに
A basic neutral expression meaning 'right away' or 'soon'; it does not by itself imply being ahead of others.
早さっ速そく
Often used when starting or doing something immediately after an opportunity or prompt; more situational than いち早く.
早々そうそうに
Means 'early' or 'promptly' and can sound more formal or written; いち早く more strongly suggests speed or being first.

Etymology

A transparent expression combining いち, related to 'one' or 'first', with 早く, the adverbial form of 早い 'early; fast'. The rare kanji spellings are attested variants, but the ordinary spelling is いち早く.