早期

• Pinyin: zǎo qī
• Hanzi breakdown: 早 = early; 期 = period/phase

Meaning

Early period; early stage. The beginning phase of a time period or development.

Used for historical periods, disease progression, project phases, etc. Common phrases: 早期发现 (early detection), 早期症状 (early symptoms), 早期作品 (early works). Opposite: 后期 (later period), 晚期 (late stage).

Examples

1. 这种病在早期很难发现。 This disease is difficult to detect in its early stage.
2. 他的早期作品风格和现在很不一样。 His early works have a very different style from now.
3. 二十世纪早期，中国社会经历了巨大变革。 In the early twentieth century, Chinese society underwent tremendous changes.

Usage Guide

Context: medical, historical, development

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 早期发现，早期治疗。(Early detection, early treatment.)
• 项目还在早期阶段。(The project is still in its early stage.)

Don't Say

• 今天早期 (For 'this morning', say 今天早上, not 今天早期)

Origin & History

Compound of 早 (early) and 期 (period). The early period or phase.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal