Mnemonic
The sun hasn't fully risen yet—it's still resting right on top of the cross atop the church steeple. When the sun sits that low, barely perched on the cross, you know it's early morning. Only the most devoted are awake at this hour.
Additional thoughts
Visualize the kanji: 日 (sun) sitting directly on 十 (cross). The sun hasn't climbed past the cross yet, so it must be very early. Picture a sunrise behind a church where the glowing sun aligns perfectly with the rooftop cross.Quick recall
The sun resting on a church cross means it's early dawn.Details
The keyword for 早 is early. This kanji conveys the concept of being ahead in time, referring to something that occurs before the expected or usual moment. It encompasses meanings such as early in the morning, promptness, or being quick and fast. It often carries a sense of swiftness or doing something sooner than anticipated.
- On'yomi
- そう、さっ
- Kun'yomi
- はや.い、はや、はや-、はや.まる、はや.める、さ-