Japanese word

早く

Pronunciation

Romajihayaku

Meaning

  • adverbquickly, early

Example

質問に早く答えてください。shitsu mon ni haya ku kota e te ku da sa i

Please answer the question quickly.

Illustration for 早く (quickly)

More examples

今日は早く寝ます。kyō wa haya ku ne ma su

I will go to bed early today.

困ったときは、早く助けを求めてください。koma tta to ki wa haya ku tasu ke o moto me te ku da sa i

When you have a problem, ask for help right away.

Core concept

Shows that something happens with little delay, either in a short time or earlier than expected.

Common phrases

  • 早く来るhaya ku ku ru

    come quickly

  • 早く帰るhaya ku kae ru

    go home quickly

  • 早く決めるhaya ku ki me ru

    decide quickly

  • 早く終わるhaya ku o wa ru

    end quickly

  • 早く返事するhaya ku hen ji su ru

    reply quickly

Similar words

すぐにsuguni: Something happens immediately or in a short time.
さっさとsassato: An action is done quickly and without spending time on unnecessary steps.
早めにhayameni: Something is done earlier than usual or expected.
至急shikyū: Something is done urgently and as soon as possible.

Definition in Japanese

時間をあまり置かずに、または通常より前に物事を行うさま。ji kan o a ma ri o ka zu ni ma ta wa tsū jō yo ri mae ni mono goto o okona u sa ma

Word origin

早く (hayaku) is the adverbial form of the native Japanese adjective 早い (hayai), meaning "fast" or "early".

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 早く (hayaku) can stand alone as a prompt meaning "Hurry up," in addition to modifying an action.

Other meanings

  • soonadverb

Opposites

  • ゆっくりyukkurislowlyadverb

Related words

  • 早さhayasaspeednoun

Word lists with this word