for a long time; since long ago; from childhood
Describes something that has been the case or known for a long time, often from early on. Can imply a deep-seated or long-held state.
His talent has been known for a long time.
bright and early; early in the morning
Used to emphasize doing something very early in the morning, often with a sense of diligence or eagerness. Somewhat literary.
I have long been advocating the importance of health.
I got up bright and early and went for a walk.
Rare kanji form; the character 夙 is not commonly used in modern Japanese.
Derived from classical Japanese. The kanji 夙 originally meant 'early morning' or 'long-standing', but the word is now almost exclusively written in kana.