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early, fast

JLPT N4 Grade 1 6 strokes
Kun'yomi
はや
On'yomi
ソウ・サッ
Radical
· sun (sun, day)

早 means "early, fast". It is a JLPT N4 kanji written in 6 strokes. It is read はや in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and ソウ・サッ in compounds (on'yomi). Japanese schoolchildren learn it in grade 1.

Example word

はや

early

早 in example sentences

  • はやかった。

    Hayakatta.

    I'm early.

  • はやい。

    Hayaku koi.

    Come quick!

  • はやくしろ!

    Hayaku shiro!

    Do it quickly.

Example sentences from the Tatoeba Project, licensed CC-BY 2.0 FR.

Stroke order & writing

Want more? Practice writing from memory. Stroke-order and animation sources are on our credits page.

Words that use 早

More (sun) kanji

Common questions

What does the kanji 早 mean?
早 means "early, fast". It is a JLPT N4 kanji.
How many strokes does 早 have?
早 is written in 6 strokes.
How is 早 read?
It is read はや in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and ソウ・サッ in compounds (on'yomi).
What JLPT level is 早?
早 is a JLPT N4 kanji.