早はやい

i-adjective

fast; quick; rapid

Describes high speed of movement, action, or change. 速い is the typical kanji for physical speed, but 早い is also used.

• 彼かれは走はしるのが速はやい。

  He runs fast.

• このパソコンは処しょ理りが速はやい。

  This computer processes quickly.

i-adjective

early; soon; earlier than usual

Only when written 早い

Refers to something happening before the expected or usual time. Written with 早い.

• 今朝けさは早はやく起おきた。

  I woke up early this morning.

• 春はるが早はやく来きた。

  Spring came early.

i-adjective

premature; too soon; too early

Only when written 早い

Indicates that something happens before it is appropriate or desirable. Often used in negative contexts. Written with 早い.

• まだ10時じだ。帰かえるには早はやすぎる。

  It's only 10 o'clock. It's too early to go home.

• 彼かれの死しは早はやすぎた。

  His death was premature.

i-adjective

easy; simple; quick to do

Used when a task can be completed quickly because it is not difficult. Often in the pattern ～するのが早い. Typically written with 早い.

• この問もん題だいは解とくのが早はやい。

  This problem is quick to solve.

• 彼かれは決けつ断だんが早はやい。

  He is quick to make decisions.

i-adjective

as soon as; the moment; the instant

Used in the grammatical patterns ～するが早いか and ～するより早く to mean 'no sooner than' or 'the moment something happens'. Literary and somewhat formal.

• 彼かれは家いえに着つくが早はやいか、また出でかけた。

  The moment he arrived home, he went out again.

• 言いうより早はやく、彼かれは走はしり出だした。

  No sooner said than done, he started running.