早年

• Pinyin: zǎo nián
• Hanzi breakdown: 早 = 日 + 十 (sun rising over the horizon — early/morning); 年 = grain harvest cycle (year)

Meaning

Early years; one's youth or early life; the early period of an era or career. Referring to a time long past, especially the formative or beginning phase.

Typically refers to childhood, youth, or the early stages of a career. 早年经历 (early-life experiences), 早年间 (in the early years — more colloquial). Used in biographies, historical narratives, and retrospective accounts. Implies a meaningful contrast with the present.

Examples

1. 这位著名作家早年曾在农村插队，那段艰苦岁月深刻塑造了他的文学风格与人生观。 In his early years, the famous writer was sent to the countryside to work; those hard times profoundly shaped his literary style and outlook on life.
2. 他早年在国外求学，积累了丰富的国际视野，为日后的外交生涯奠定了坚实基础。 In his youth, he studied abroad and gained a broad international perspective, laying a solid foundation for his later diplomatic career.
3. 回忆起早年创业时的艰辛，她感慨万千，直言那段经历是人生中最宝贵的财富。 Thinking back to the hardships of her early startup days, she was overwhelmed with emotion and said that experience was the most valuable treasure of her life.

Usage Guide

Context: biography, history, retrospective accounts, personal narrative

Tone: reflective/nostalgic

Do Say

• 这位企业家早年白手起家，凭借过人的毅力和敏锐的商业嗅觉，最终建立起自己的商业帝国。(This entrepreneur started from nothing in his early years and, through extraordinary perseverance and sharp business acumen, eventually built his own commercial empire.)
• 导演在采访中谈及早年在小剧团的经历，称那段时光是他艺术生涯中最纯粹的阶段。(The director spoke in an interview about his early years at a small theatre troupe, calling that period the purest stage of his artistic career.)

Don't Say

• 早年的今天 — 早年 refers to a general period, not a specific date; use 多年前的今天 or 当年 for 'on this day years ago'

Origin & History

早 (early) + 年 (year/period)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal