Japanese word of the day: 早い (Hayai)

What does 早い (Hayai) mean?

早い (Hayai) (い adjective) — This word can mean "early" in terms of time, "too soon" in a situational context, or "easy" or "quick" in terms of effort, depending on the context in which it is used.

Kanji details for 早

Character: 早 — early, fast
Radical: sun, day 日

Example sentences with 早い (Hayai)

• 朝の電車は早い時間に発車します。
  (Asa no densha wa hayai jikan ni hassha shimasu.)
  The morning train departs at an early time.

• 彼は結婚するにはまだ早いです。
  (Kare wa kekkon suru ni wa mada hayai desu.)
  It's still too early for him to get married.

• この問題は解決するのが早い方がいいです。
  (Kono mondai wa kaiketsu suru no ga hayai hō ga ii desu.)
  It's better to solve this problem quickly.

早い (Hayai) in context

The word 早い (hayai) is used in contexts related to time, indicating something happening earlier than expected, such as waking up early (早く起きる) or arriving ahead of schedule (早く到着する). It can also describe something premature, like a decision made too soon. However, 早い should not be confused with 速い, which refers to speed or quickness. For example, saying 電車が早い means "the train is early," while 電車が速い means "the train is fast." Misusing these kanji can lead to misunderstandings.

Additionally, 早い carries nuances of simplicity or ease in some contexts, such as solving a problem quickly. Avoid using 早い when referring to physical speed or urgency; instead, use 速い or verbs like 急ぐ for "hurrying." Understanding these distinctions ensures precise communication in Japanese.