Adverbial use indicating that something has happened sooner than expected or by the current moment. Often used in expressions like 早くも.
A new record was already set, so soon.
The cherry blossoms have already started blooming.
He has already gone home.
noun, used as a prefix, noun, used as a suffix, noun
Used as a prefix, suffix, or standalone noun to indicate speed or earliness. Common in compounds like 早口 (fast speech) or 早起き (early rising).
Please don't speak quickly.
I have an early start tomorrow, so I'm going to bed now.
Already three years have passed.
速い describes physical speed (a fast car, a fast runner), while 早 as a prefix/adverb emphasizes doing something earlier or sooner in time (early rising, quick speech).
まだ means 'not yet', the direct opposite of 早's sense of something having already happened.
遅い means 'slow' or 'late', the opposite of 早's sense of quickness or earliness.
fast; quick; rapid · early; soon; earlier than usual · premature; too soon; too early · easy; simple; quick to do · as soon as; the moment; the instant
already; now · no longer; not anymore
early; a little earlier than usual · a little faster than usual; slightly quicker
early; quickly; promptly
getting up early; early rising · early riser; early bird
promptly; quickly; without delay · before others; first; ahead of others
quick-reference chart; table
fast-talking; rapid speech
Standard kanji form; high-frequency news and common usage.
Kana spelling is common in informal writing and when the adverbial sense is emphasized.
The kanji 早 is a pictograph of the sun rising, representing the concept of early morning and by extension quickness or earliness. The reading はや is native Japanese.
be moved up; be advanced; be brought forward · be hasty; be rash; jump the gun · speed up; quicken; gather speed
thin white ceremonial haori worn by miko
premature death; dying young
fast forward
going to bed early; early bedtime
bring forward; advance; hasten; expedite · speed up; quicken; accelerate
jumping to a wrong conclusion; hasty misjudgment
early shift; morning shift
swift current; rapids
quick pace; brisk walking · trot (horse gait)
quick change of costume · quick transformation; sudden metamorphosis
leaving early for work; early departure · early shift; taking the early shift
fast; quick; brisk · swift; rapid
jumping to a hasty conclusion; misunderstanding through assumption
rapid succession; in quick succession
born early in the school year; born between Jan 1 and Apr 1
fast typing · fast beating; fast drumming
early blooming; early flowering
quick understanding; catching on quickly · beginner's guide; easy guide; quick start guide
early frost
fast horse
shortcut; shorter route