Keywords: 早, zao, early, morning, good morning in Chinese, how to say morning in Chinese, Chinese greetings, 早安, 早上好, breakfast in Chinese, zǎo shàng hǎo, zǎo ān, what does zao mean.
Summary: Discover the meaning of 早 (zǎo), a fundamental Chinese character for “early” and “morning.” This page explains how 早 (zǎo) is not just a time of day, but also a common daily greeting equivalent to “Good morning!” in Chinese. Learn how to use it in essential words like 早上 (zǎoshang - morning) and 早餐 (zǎocān - breakfast), understand its cultural importance, and see practical examples for everyday conversation.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): zǎo
Part of Speech: Adjective, Adverb, Noun
HSK Level: HSK 1
Concise Definition: It means early, morning, or is used as a standalone greeting for “Good morning”.
In a Nutshell:早 (zǎo) is one of the first and most useful characters you'll learn in Chinese. At its heart, it represents the beginning of the day—the time when the sun has just risen. It can be used to describe an action that happens “early” (like waking up early) or as a noun for “morning.” Most importantly, when said by itself, “早!” is the most common and friendly way to greet someone in the morning, just like saying “'Morning!” in English.
Character Breakdown
The character 早 is a simple pictograph that beautifully illustrates its meaning.
It is a combination of two components:
日 (rì): This character on top means “sun.”
十: The component on the bottom can be seen as a representation of the horizon line.
Together, 早 (zǎo) shows the 日 (sun) just rising above the horizon. It's a clear and intuitive picture of the “early morning.”
Cultural Context and Significance
The Virtue of Being Early: In Chinese culture, being “early” is more than just a matter of time; it's often seen as a virtue reflecting diligence, preparedness, and respect. The famous proverb 早睡早起身体好 (zǎo shuì zǎo qǐ shēntǐ hǎo), which translates to “Early to bed and early to rise keeps you healthy,” is taught to children from a young age. This contrasts with the Western equivalent, “the early bird gets the worm,” by focusing on personal health and discipline rather than just a competitive advantage.
Morning Community Life: Morning is a vital time for social and physical activity in China, especially for the elderly. Parks across the country fill up at dawn with people practicing Tai Chi (太极), square dancing (广场舞), or simply exercising. In this context, greeting acquaintances and strangers alike with a friendly “早!” (zǎo!) is a common way to build community and start the day on a positive, harmonious note. It's a small but significant social ritual.
Practical Usage in Modern China
As a Casual Greeting:
The most frequent use of 早 is as a standalone greeting. Simply saying “早!” (zǎo!) to a colleague, neighbor, or friend in the morning is the equivalent of a casual “'Morning!”. It's friendly, efficient, and very common.
For more formal situations, you would use 早上好 (zǎoshang hǎo).
As an Adjective/Adverb (“Early”):
早 is used to describe an action happening early or before the expected time.
Example: 你来得真早。(Nǐ lái de zhēn zǎo.) - You've arrived so early.
Example: 我们早点儿出发吧。(Wǒmen zǎo diǎnr chūfā ba.) - Let's set off a bit earlier.
As a Component in Common Words:
早 is a building block for many essential words related to the morning:
English: I got up very early today because I have to go to the airport.
Analysis: Here, 早 is used as an adjective to describe the verb “to get up” (起). The structure “verb + 得 + adjective” is used to describe how an action was performed.
Example 3:
你吃早餐了吗？
Pinyin: Nǐ chī zǎocān le ma?
English: Have you eaten breakfast yet?
Analysis: 早餐 (zǎocān) is a compound word: 早 (early) + 餐 (meal). This is a very common daily question.
English: I told you a long time ago, but you just wouldn't listen.
Analysis: This is a crucial nuance. The phrase 早就 (zǎo jiù) does not mean “early in the morning.” It means “long ago” or “already.” This is a common point of confusion for learners.
Example 5:
王经理，早上好！
Pinyin: Wáng jīnglǐ, zǎoshang hǎo!
English: Good morning, Manager Wang!
Analysis: 早上好 (zǎoshang hǎo) is the more formal version of “Good morning.” It's used when addressing superiors, elders, or in more formal service settings.
Example 6:
会议提早到九点了。
Pinyin: Huìyì tízǎo dào jiǔ diǎn le.
English: The meeting has been moved up to 9 o'clock.
Analysis: 提早 (tí zǎo) means to move something to an earlier time, to do something in advance. It emphasizes a change in schedule.
Example 7:
现在才八点，去上班还早呢。
Pinyin: Xiànzài cái bā diǎn, qù shàngbān hái zǎo ne.
English: It's only 8 o'clock now, it's still early to go to work.
Analysis: This shows 早 used to describe a point in time as being “early.” The particle “呢 (ne)” adds a sense of casualness.
Example 8:
他今天身体不舒服，所以早退了。
Pinyin: Tā jīntiān shēntǐ bù shūfú, suǒyǐ zǎotuì le.
English: He wasn't feeling well today, so he left work early.
Analysis: 早退 (zǎotuì) is a set phrase meaning “to leave early” from a commitment like work or school.
Example 9:
这个问题我们必须趁早解决。
Pinyin: Zhège wèntí wǒmen bìxū chènzǎo jiějué.
English: We must solve this problem as soon as possible.
Analysis: 趁早 (chènzǎo) means “to take advantage of the early opportunity.” It implies urgency and the benefit of acting quickly before it's too late.
Example 10:
早起的鸟儿有虫吃。
Pinyin: Zǎoqǐ de niǎo'er yǒu chóng chī.
English: The early bird gets the worm.
Analysis: This is a direct translation of the English idiom, showcasing how the value of being 早 (early) is universal, though deeply embedded in Chinese culture.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
“早” vs. “早上好”: A common mistake for beginners is using the formal 早上好 (zǎoshang hǎo) in all situations. With friends, classmates, and close colleagues, the simple 早 (zǎo) is much more natural and common. Using 早上好 can sound a bit stiff or overly polite, like saying “Good day to you, sir!” to a close friend.
The “Long Ago” Meaning: The most significant pitfall is misunderstanding 早就 (zǎo jiù). It does not mean “early in the morning.” It means an action was completed “long ago” or that the speaker has known something for a while.
Correct: 我早就知道了。(Wǒ zǎo jiù zhīdào le.) - I knew that a long time ago.
Incorrect Interpretation: “I knew that early in the morning.”
Time-Specific Greeting: Remember that 早 is strictly a morning greeting. You cannot use it in the afternoon or evening.