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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'early' as an adverb with 早 (zǎo)

    Degree & Intensity
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    早 + 在 + Time Expression

    Explanation

    When used as an adverb, 早 (zǎo) means "early" or "long ago," modifying a verb to indicate that an action happened ahead of the expected time. For example, 早在凌晨 means "as early as the early morning hours." It emphasizes that something occurred sooner than anticipated.

    Examples

    • 他早在一个月前就把机票买好了。

      tā zǎo zài yī gè yuè qián jiù bǎ jīpiào mǎi hǎo le.

      He had already bought the plane ticket a month ago.

    • 我早就跟你说过这个方法行不通。

      wǒ zǎo jiù gēn nǐ shuō guò zhège fāngfǎ xíng bù tōng.

      I told you a long time ago that this method wouldn't work.

    • 她早在上个星期就把作业写完了。

      tā zǎo zài shàng gè xīngqī jiù bǎ zuòyè xiě wán le.

      She had already finished her homework as early as last week.

    Expressing 'early' as an adverb with 早 (zǎo) | Chinese Grammar