つとに

つ

と

に

Meanings

for a long time; since long ago; from childhood

usually written using kana alone

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.

彼かれの才さい能のうはつとに知しられている。
His talent has been known for a long time.
つとに健けん康こうの大たい切せつさを説といてきた。
I have long been advocating the importance of health.

adverb

bright and early; early in the morning

usually written using kana alone

Used to emphasize doing something very early in the morning, often with a sense of diligence or eagerness. Somewhat literary.

つとに起おきて散さん歩ぽに出でかけた。
I got up bright and early and went for a walk.

Kanji

夙bright and early, long ago, early in life

Related words

早はやく
早く is the common word for 'early' and is neutral in register. つとに is more literary and often implies a long-standing state or an especially early time.
昔むかしから
昔から means 'since old times' and is more concrete about a distant past. つとに can refer to a long time up to the present without specifying a starting point.

Written forms

つとにUsage82%
Usually written in kana. The kanji form 夙に is rare and may not be recognized by many readers.
夙つとにUsage18%
Rare kanji form; the character 夙 is not commonly used in modern Japanese.

Etymology

Derived from classical Japanese. The kanji 夙 originally meant 'early morning' or 'long-standing', but the word is now almost exclusively written in kana.