早

早 — early, fast

Learn the correct stroke order for 早 (early), a 6-stroke kanji.

JLPT N4Grade 16 strokes

Stroke Order

Stroke 0 / 6

On'yomi (音読み)ソウsou、サッsa

Kun'yomi (訓読み)はや.いhayai、はやhaya、はや-haya、はや.まるhayamaru、はや.めるhayameru、さ-sa

Strokes6

Radical日

Frequency#402

Meaningsearly, fast

Step-by-Step Diagram

Try Writing It

Practice writing each stroke in the correct order and direction. Start from the green dot.

Draw stroke 1 of 6 — start from the green dot

Common Words

最早もはやalready; nowadverb

早くはやくearly; soonadverb

早期そうきearly stagenoun

早口はやくちfast-talking; rapid talkingnoun

早熟そうじゅくprecocity; early ripening; premature developmentnoun

早瀬はやせswift current; rapidsnoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 早 (early) is taught in grade 1 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N4 level. It has 6 strokes with radical 日.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 早 is #402, making it one of the most commonly used kanji.

Example Words in Context

最早もはや — already; now

早くはやく — early; soon

早期そうき — early stage

Practice Sheet

Trace then write on your own. Print this row as a PDF practice sheet.

Related Kanji

Same radical (日)

日day 旧old times 旦daybreak 旬decameron 旨delicious 明bright 易easy 昇rise up

Same reading

世generation 送escort 走run

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 早 have?

The kanji 早 (early) has 6 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 早?

早 follows the standard Japanese stroke order as taught in schools. Use the step-by-step diagram or the "Try Writing" tool above to practice each stroke in sequence.

What does 早 mean?

早 means: early, fast. On'yomi readings: ソウ, サッ. Kun'yomi readings: はや.い, はや, はや-, はや.まる, はや.める, さ-.

What JLPT level is 早?

早 is a JLPT N4 kanji. This is a beginner-level kanji.