The kanji 早 primarily conveys the concept of "early," "soon," or "fast." It implies a state or action occurring ahead of schedule or in a timely manner. This core meaning extends to ideas related to speed, promptness, and an initial point in time.

・On-yomi (音読み): ソウ (sō) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): はやい (hayai); は-や (haya-)

⚫︎ 早い (hayai) Translation: Fast; early; soon. ⚫︎ 早朝 (sōchō) Translation: Early morning. ⚫︎ 早く (hayaku) Translation: Quickly; early.

The kanji 早 is a pictograph. It depicts the sun 日 (hi, -bi) rising above the grass or the horizon 十 (jū). The ten, or ten strokes in the character represent the horizon where the sun rises quickly. It is believed to represent the sun emerging quickly at dawn, thus giving rise to the meaning of "early" or "fast." Over time, the form evolved from a more representational image to the current simplified form.