Translation guide
Expresses that something happened or will happen before now, before a reference time, or earlier than expected. Japanese uses different words and patterns depending on whether you mean 'a short while ago', 'previously in general', 'earlier than planned', or 'earlier in a sequence'.
いつもより早く来てください。
Please arrive earlier than usual.
To say that something happened a short time ago, often within the same day or very recently.
The most common casual word for 'a little while ago' or 'just now'. Used in spoken Japanese for recent events.
さっき、田中さんに会ったよ。
I saw Tanaka earlier.
さっきまで雨が降っていた。
It was raining until a little while ago.
Polite/formal equivalent of さっき. Used in business settings or when speaking politely.
先ほど、メールをお送りしました。
I sent you an email earlier.
Emphasizes 'just now', even more immediate than さっき. Often used when something just happened moments ago.
たった今、帰ってきたところです。
I just got home earlier (moments ago).
To say that something happened or will happen sooner than scheduled or anticipated.
Adverbial form of 早い (early). Used to say 'earlier than usual/expected'. Can modify verbs.
今日はいつもより早く起きた。
I woke up earlier than usual today.
会議が早く終わった。
The meeting ended earlier (than expected).
Explicitly means 'earlier than planned/scheduled'. Useful for clarity.
電車が予定より早く着いた。
The train arrived earlier than scheduled.
Means 'a little earlier', 'on the early side'. Often used when you intentionally do something earlier to be safe.
早めに家を出た。
I left home a little earlier (than necessary).
To refer to a point in time before now, often in a narrative or when comparing past and present.
Means 'before', 'previously', 'earlier'. Can be used alone or with a time reference (e.g., 三年前以前 = earlier than three years ago).
以前、ここに住んでいました。
I lived here earlier/previously.
以前より元気になった。
I feel better than before/earlier.
Literally 'before', used after a noun or verb to mean 'earlier than that point'. Very common in speech.
前に一度会ったことがある。
I met him once earlier/before.
食事の前に手を洗って。
Wash your hands earlier (before eating).
Formal/literary word for 'once', 'formerly', 'in earlier times'. Used in writing or formal speech.
To specify that something happened earlier in the same day, often contrasting with now.
Literally 'at an early time today'. Natural way to say 'earlier today' without specifying exact time.
今日の早い時間に電話したんだけど、出なかったね。
I called you earlier today, but you didn't answer.
Means 'this morning'. Use when 'earlier' specifically refers to the morning.
今朝、地震があった。
There was an earthquake earlier this morning.
Means 'before noon'. Use when 'earlier' refers to the late morning.
昼前にちょっと出かけてくる。
I'll go out for a bit earlier (before noon).
To refer to something that comes before in a list, process, or narrative.
Means 'ahead', 'first', 'earlier in order'. Used when one action precedes another.
先に宿題を終わらせてから遊びなさい。
Finish your homework earlier (first), then you can play.
どうぞお先に。
Please go ahead (earlier than me).
Attributive form meaning 'previous', 'earlier (one)'. Used before nouns.
前の章で説明した通りです。
As explained in the earlier chapter.
さっき is casual and used in everyday conversation. 先ほど is the polite version, suitable for business or formal situations. Both mean 'a short while ago'.
さっき言ったでしょ。
I told you earlier (casual).
先ほど申し上げた通りです。
As I mentioned earlier (formal).
早い means 'early' in the sense of 'early morning' or 'ahead of schedule'. To say 'earlier today' meaning 'a few hours ago', use さっき or 今日の早い時間に, not just 早く.
今日の早い時間に雨が降った。
It rained earlier today.
仕事が思ったより早く終わった。
I finished my work earlier than expected.
さっきまで図書館にいた。
Earlier, I was at the library.
明日、少し早めに来てもらえますか？
Could you come a little earlier tomorrow?
There was a castle here in earlier times.