When you're learning Chinese, understanding how to talk about time is super useful. The word 早到 (zǎo dào) means 'to arrive early.' It's a verb, so you'll use it to say that someone got to a place before the expected time.
For example, if you have a meeting at 9 AM and you get there at 8:45 AM, you 早到 (zǎo dào). It's a straightforward word, great for A1 learners to add to their everyday vocabulary.
When you're learning Chinese, you'll find that many words are made up of two or more characters. This makes understanding vocabulary a lot easier. Let's take a look at the word 早到 (zǎo dào).
The first character, 早 (zǎo), means 'early'. You might recognize it from words like 早上 (zǎoshang), which means 'morning'.
The second character, 到 (dào), means 'to arrive' or 'to reach'. You've probably seen it in phrases like 到了 (dào le) meaning 'arrived'.
So, when you put them together, 早到 (zǎo dào) literally means 'early arrive' or, more naturally in English, 'to arrive early'. It's pretty straightforward!
When you're trying to say that someone 'arrived early' in Chinese, you'll want to use the verb 早到 (zǎo dào). This literally combines 'early' (早 - zǎo) and 'to arrive' (到 - dào).
For example, if you want to say 'I arrived early today,' you would say 我今天早到了 (wǒ jīn tiān zǎo dào le). It’s pretty straightforward!
When we talk about arriving somewhere ahead of the scheduled time, the Chinese verb to use is 早到 (zǎo dào). It combines 早 (zǎo), meaning 'early,' and 到 (dào), meaning 'to arrive.'
You can use it in sentences like, 'I arrived early at the office today' (我今天早到办公室了 - Wǒ jīntiān zǎo dào bàngōngshì le), or 'It's good to arrive early for meetings' (开会早到是好的 - Kāihuì zǎo dào shì hǎo de).
When we talk about arriving somewhere ahead of the scheduled or expected time, the Chinese verb 早到 is very useful. It literally combines 'early' (早 - zǎo) and 'to arrive' (到 - dào). This isn't just for people; you can also use it for things like a delivery or a train.
For example, if you want to say 'I arrived early for the meeting,' you'd say '我开会早到了' (Wǒ kāihuì zǎodào le). It's a straightforward and common phrase that you'll hear a lot in daily conversation.
When we talk about arriving earlier than expected or earlier than a set time, we use 早到 (zǎo dào). This verb combines 早 (zǎo), meaning 'early,' and 到 (dào), meaning 'to arrive.' It's a straightforward way to express the action of being somewhere ahead of schedule.
For instance, if a meeting is at 9 AM and you get there at 8:45 AM, you would 早到 (zǎo dào). It’s often used in everyday situations, like arriving early for work, an appointment, or a social gathering.
早到 in 30 Seconds
- Arrive early
- Used for people or things arriving
- Opposite of 迟到 (chídào - to arrive late)
§ Understanding 早到 (zǎo dào)
早到 (zǎo dào) literally means 'early arrive'. It's a verb, and it's quite straightforward to use. Think of it as a single unit meaning 'to arrive early'.
- DEFINITION
- To arrive early.
§ Basic Sentence Structure
The most common way to use 早到 is just like any other verb: Subject + 早到. You can also add a time or place.
我早到了。
Wǒ zǎo dào le. (I arrived early.)
他喜欢早到。
Tā xǐhuān zǎo dào. (He likes to arrive early.)
§ Adding a Time or Place
You can specify when or where someone arrived early. In Chinese, the time or place usually comes before the verb or at the very beginning of the sentence.
Time + Subject + 早到:
今天他早到了办公室。
Jīntiān tā zǎo dào le bàngōngshì. (Today he arrived early at the office.)
Subject + Time + 早到:
他们总是提前早到。
Tāmen zǒng shì tíqián zǎo dào. (They always arrive early.)
Subject + 在 (zài) + Place + 早到:
You can use 在 (zài - at/in) to specify the location where someone arrived early.
她早到了学校。
Tā zǎo dào le xuéxiào. (She arrived early at school.)
Notice that in this case, the place (学校) comes after 早到. This is because 到 (dào) itself means 'to arrive at' a place. So, '早到学校' is already complete.
§ Common Prepositions/Words Used With 早到
While 早到 doesn't strictly need prepositions in many cases, here are some common patterns:
为了 (wèile) - In order to / For the purpose of:
You can explain *why* someone arrived early.
为了准备会议，我早到了。
Wèile zhǔnbèi huìyì, wǒ zǎo dào le. (In order to prepare for the meeting, I arrived early.)
比 (bǐ) - Compared to / Than:
If you want to say someone arrived earlier *than* someone else, you'll use 比.
他比我早到。
Tā bǐ wǒ zǎo dào. (He arrived earlier than me.)
§ Important Note on Grammar
Remember that 早到 is already a complete verb phrase. You generally don't need additional 'to arrive' verbs like 去 (qù - to go) or 来 (lái - to come) directly preceding it. Just use 早到 as your main verb.
Practice these structures, and you'll be using 早到 like a pro in no time!
§ Don't Overuse 早到
Many beginners, when they learn a new word like 早到, tend to use it in every situation where they want to express the idea of being early. While 早到 directly means 'to arrive early,' it’s not always the most natural choice. Sometimes, simply stating the time you arrived, or using other time-related words, is more appropriate and idiomatic.
§ Not for Being Early in General
早到 is specifically about *arriving* early. You wouldn't use it to describe waking up early, for example. For that, you'd use 早起 (zǎoqǐ).
- Wrong Example
- 我今天早到。 (Wǒ jīntiān zǎodào.) - This sounds like you 'arrived early' for something implied, but it's not how you'd say 'I woke up early today.'
- Correct Example
- 我今天早起。 (Wǒ jīntiān zǎoqǐ.) - I woke up early today.
§ Using It with Incorrect Prepositions or Locations
Unlike English, where you might say 'arrive early *at* the station,' Chinese often incorporates the location directly with the verb or uses specific directional complements. You generally won't put a separate preposition like 在 (zài) directly after 早到 and then a location, unless you are using a more complex sentence structure.
- Wrong Example
- 他早到在会议室。 (Tā zǎodào zài huìyìshì.) - This is grammatically awkward.
- Correct Example
- 他早到会议室了。 (Tā zǎodào huìyìshì le.) - He arrived early at the meeting room.
我早到机场了。 (Wǒ zǎodào jīchǎng le.) - I arrived early at the airport.
§ Redundancy with Time Phrases
Sometimes learners use 早到 in conjunction with other time phrases that already indicate earliness, leading to redundancy. For example, if you say 'arrive 30 minutes early,' the 'early' is already implied by '30 minutes before.'
- Less Natural
- 他早到三十分钟。 (Tā zǎodào sānshí fēnzhōng.) - This is understandable but less common.
- More Natural
- 他提前三十分钟到了。 (Tā tíqián sānshí fēnzhōng dào le.) - He arrived 30 minutes in advance.
你为什么今天早到了？ (Nǐ wèishénme jīntiān zǎodào le?) - Why did you arrive early today?
§ Not a Noun
While 'early arrival' can be a noun phrase in English, 早到 is primarily a verb in Chinese. You wouldn't use it directly as a standalone noun.
- Wrong Example
- 这个早到很好。 (Zhège zǎodào hěn hǎo.) - This 'early arrive' is very good. (Doesn't make sense)
- Correct Example
- 早到是好习惯。 (Zǎodào shì hǎo xíguàn.) - Arriving early is a good habit. (Here, the verb phrase '早到' functions as the subject, which is fine.)
Understanding these nuances will help you use 早到 more accurately and naturally in your Chinese conversations.
- Don't assume direct translation always works.
- Pay attention to the specific meaning: 'to arrive early.'
- Learn related words like 早起 (zǎoqǐ) for 'to wake up early.'
- Observe how native speakers use it in context.
§ Understanding 早到 (zǎo dào)
The Chinese word 早到 (zǎo dào) is a verb that means 'to arrive early'. It's pretty straightforward, just like it sounds. You combine 早 (zǎo), meaning 'early', with 到 (dào), meaning 'to arrive'. Simple, right?
- DEFINITION
- To arrive early.
Let's look at some examples to see how you'd use it in a sentence.
我喜欢早到，这样可以准备一下。
Translation hint: I like to arrive early, so I can prepare a bit.
他每次开会都会早到。
Translation hint: He always arrives early for meetings.
§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives
While 早到 (zǎo dào) is your go-to for 'to arrive early', let's look at a couple of other related terms you might encounter and how they differ.
- 提前 (tí qián) - In advance, ahead of time
提前 (tí qián) is an adverb. It means 'in advance' or 'ahead of time'. While it conveys the idea of doing something early, it's not a verb like 早到. You'd use 提前 to describe *when* something happens, not *what* happens. Think of it as 'earlier than scheduled'.
我提前完成了作业。
Translation hint: I finished my homework in advance.
Here, 'in advance' describes *when* you finished the homework. You wouldn't say '我早到完成了作业' because 早到 is about arriving, not finishing.
- 早 (zǎo) - Early (adjective/adverb)
早 (zǎo) on its own means 'early'. It can be an adjective or an adverb. When it's an adverb, it modifies a verb, indicating that the action happens early. However, it's not a complete verb like 早到.
你今天来得真早。
Translation hint: You came really early today.
In this example, 早 is used as an adverb to describe 'came' (来得). It's more about the timing of the arrival rather than the act of arriving early itself as a single concept.
When to use 早到:
Use 早到 specifically when you want to say 'to arrive early' as a single verb phrase. It emphasizes the action of *being present* at a location before the scheduled or expected time.
When to use 提前:
Use 提前 when you want to say 'in advance' or 'ahead of time' for any action, not just arriving. It's about doing something earlier than planned or expected.
When to use 早:
Use 早 as an adjective to describe something as early (e.g., 早班车 - early bus) or as an adverb to modify a verb, indicating an action happened early. It's a more general term for 'early'.
§ Summary for practical use
Keep it simple. If you mean 'to arrive early' in a sentence, 早到 is your best bet. If you mean 'in advance' for any action, use 提前. If you just need to say 'early' in a more general sense, use 早. Focus on the core meaning, and you'll get it right.
How Formal Is It?
"请各位嘉宾提前到达会场，以便我们有充足的时间进行准备。 (Please, distinguished guests, arrive at the venue in advance, so we have ample time to prepare.)"
"我喜欢早到，这样可以避开高峰期。 (I like to arrive early, this way I can avoid rush hour.)"
"你来早了，会议还没开始呢。 (You've come early, the meeting hasn't started yet.)"
"小明，我们早点来公园，可以玩更多游戏。 (Xiaoming, let's come to the park earlier, we can play more games.)"
"咱们得抢先一步，才能占到好位置。 (We need to get there a step ahead to grab a good spot.)"
Pronunciation Guide
- Confusing the tones: zǎo is a third tone, and dào is a fourth tone. Make sure to get them right!
- Mixing up 早到 (zǎo dào) with 迟到 (chí dào - to arrive late).
Difficulty Rating
Two common characters, easy to recognize.
Two common characters, easy to write.
Simple pronunciation, two common tones.
Clear and distinct sounds.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Can be used with a time duration to specify how early someone arrived. The structure is 'Subject + 早到 + (duration) + 了'.
他早到了十分钟。(He arrived ten minutes early.)
Can be followed by an object to indicate what was arrived at early. The structure is 'Subject + 早到 + (place/event) + 了'.
我们早到学校了。(We arrived at school early.)
Can be used in a negative sentence with '没(有)' to indicate that someone did not arrive early. The structure is 'Subject + 没(有) + 早到'.
我没有早到。(I didn't arrive early.)
Can be used with adverbs like '很' (very) or '有点' (a little) to modify the degree of earliness. The structure is 'Subject + (adverb) + 早到 + 了'.
她早到了很多。(She arrived very early.)
Can be used in a question using '吗' or a question word like '多早' (how early). The structure is 'Subject + 早到 + 吗?' or 'Subject + 多早 + 到?'
你早到了吗？(Did you arrive early?) / 你多早到？(How early did you arrive?)
Examples by Level
我早到了。
I arrived early.
我们早到了。
We arrived early.
你早到了吗？
Did you arrive early?
她早到了学校。
She arrived early at school.
他早到了公司。
He arrived early at the company.
他们早到了饭店。
They arrived early at the restaurant.
你为什么早到？
Why did you arrive early?
请你早到。
Please arrive early.
我喜欢早到，这样可以有更多时间准备。
I like to arrive early, so I can have more time to prepare.
早到 (zǎo dào) as a verb indicating the action of arriving early. The structure 这样 (zhèyàng) means 'in this way' or 'so that'.
请你明天早点到学校。
Please arrive at school early tomorrow.
早点 (zǎodiǎn) is a common way to say 'a bit early' or 'earlier'. The sentence is a polite request.
我们今天早到了十分钟。
We arrived ten minutes early today.
十分钟 (shífēn zhōng) means 'ten minutes'. The word order for time difference is usually after the verb or at the beginning of the sentence.
如果你早到，你可以帮我布置一下。
If you arrive early, you can help me set up a bit.
如果 (rúguǒ) means 'if'. 布置 (bùzhì) means 'to arrange' or 'to set up'.
他们总是早到，很有时间观念。
They always arrive early, they have a good sense of time.
总是 (zǒngshì) means 'always'. 时间观念 (shíjiān guānniàn) means 'sense of time'.
因为交通很好，所以我早到了。
Because the traffic was good, I arrived early.
因为 (yīnwèi)...所以 (suǒyǐ)... is a common 'because... therefore...' sentence structure.
会议五点开始，我计划早到十五分钟。
The meeting starts at five o'clock, I plan to arrive fifteen minutes early.
计划 (jìhuà) means 'to plan'. 十五分钟 (shíwǔ fēnzhōng) means 'fifteen minutes'.
他不喜欢早到，总是在最后一分钟才来。
He doesn't like to arrive early, he always comes at the last minute.
不喜欢 (bù xǐhuān) means 'dislike'. 最后一分钟 (zuìhòu yī fēnzhōng) means 'the last minute'.
我喜欢早到，这样可以避开高峰期。
I like to arrive early so I can avoid rush hour.
如果你早到，可以先喝杯茶。
If you arrive early, you can have a cup of tea first.
会议九点开始，我们最好早到十分钟。
The meeting starts at 9 am, we'd better arrive ten minutes early.
她总是早到办公室，是个勤奋的人。
She always arrives early at the office, she's a diligent person.
早到机场可以有更多时间办理登机手续。
Arriving early at the airport allows more time to check in.
他早到了，正在看书等我们。
He arrived early and is reading a book, waiting for us.
为了选到好座位，我决定早到剧院。
To get good seats, I decided to arrive early at the theater.
早到学校可以复习一下功课。
Arriving early at school allows you to review your homework.
我喜欢早到，这样可以有时间准备。
I like to arrive early, so I have time to prepare.
早到 as a verb phrase acting as the object of 喜欢 (to like).
如果你早到，我们可以先点些喝的。
If you arrive early, we can order some drinks first.
早到 as the condition in an 'if...then...' sentence structure.
他每次开会都早到，是个很守时的人。
He arrives early for every meeting; he's a very punctual person.
早到 describing a habitual action with 每次 (every time).
为了避开交通高峰，我决定早到办公室。
To avoid rush hour traffic, I decided to arrive early at the office.
早到 as the result of a decision, often followed by a location.
她总是早到，所以很少错过重要的通知。
She always arrives early, so she rarely misses important announcements.
早到 as a reason for another action or outcome.
老师建议我们早到教室，可以提前预习。
The teacher suggested we arrive early to the classroom to review beforehand.
早到 used in a suggestion or recommendation.
我通常会早到机场，以防万一。
I usually arrive early at the airport, just in case.
早到 followed by a reason or precaution (以防万一 - just in case).
早到一步，就能抢占先机。
Arriving one step early allows you to seize the initiative.
A more idiomatic usage of 早到, implying an advantage of being early.
我喜欢早到，这样可以避开高峰时段的拥堵。
I like to arrive early so I can avoid the rush hour traffic.
为了给会议做准备，他总是早到。
He always arrives early to prepare for meetings.
如果你早到，你会有更多时间挑选座位。
If you arrive early, you'll have more time to choose a seat.
她早到了一小时，所以她在咖啡店等我们。
She arrived an hour early, so she waited for us at the coffee shop.
虽然我早到了，但我还是排了很长的队。
Even though I arrived early, I still stood in a long line.
早到机场可以让你有更充足的时间办理登机手续。
Arriving early at the airport gives you more ample time to check in.
我们通常会早到，以确保找到一个好的停车位。
We usually arrive early to ensure we find a good parking spot.
他很准时，从来不早到也不迟到。
He is very punctual, never arriving early or late.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
你今天为什么早到？
Why did you arrive early today?
我喜欢早到，这样可以准备一下。
I like to arrive early so I can prepare.
他总是早到。
He always arrives early.
请尽量早到。
Please try to arrive early.
我们早到了，所以等了一会儿。
We arrived early, so we waited for a while.
早到的人可以先选座位。
Those who arrive early can choose their seats first.
我不想迟到，所以决定早到。
I don't want to be late, so I decided to arrive early.
你能早到吗？
Can you arrive early?
她习惯早到。
She is used to arriving early.
早到是好习惯。
Arriving early is a good habit.
Often Confused With
While 太早 (too early) indicates earliness, it's an adverbial phrase, not a verb. You would say '我太早到了' (I arrived too early) rather than '我太早到'.
提早 is similar to 提前 and can mean 'to do something earlier than planned.' It's often used with actions, not just arrival. 早到 is specific to arrival.
早点 primarily means 'early' or 'a bit earlier' (e.g., 早点来 'come a bit earlier'), or 'breakfast.' It's not a direct verb for 'to arrive early.' 早到 is the specific verb phrase.
Grammar Patterns
Idioms & Expressions
"来得早"
Arrive early (colloquial)
你今天来得早。 (You arrived early today.)
informal"提前到达"
To arrive ahead of schedule/early
我们提前到达了机场。 (We arrived at the airport ahead of schedule.)
neutral"提早到"
To arrive early (similar to 提前到达)
她提早到了会场。 (She arrived at the venue early.)
neutral"赶早"
To make an early start; to do something early
我们赶早出发吧。 (Let's leave early.)
informal"先到先得"
First come, first served
这个活动是先到先得的。 (This event is first come, first served.)
neutral"早作准备"
To make preparations early
我们要早作准备。 (We need to prepare early.)
neutral"早一步"
One step ahead; to be earlier
他总是能早我一步。 (He's always one step ahead of me.)
neutral"早发现早治疗"
Early detection, early treatment
早发现早治疗，效果会更好。 (Early detection and early treatment will yield better results.)
formal"起早贪黑"
To get up early and work late (literally: get up early, covet dark)
为了完成项目，我们起早贪黑地工作。 (To complete the project, we worked from dawn till dusk.)
neutral"早班"
Early shift
我今天上早班。 (I'm working the early shift today.)
neutralEasily Confused
This is the direct opposite of 早到. Both relate to arrival time.
早到 means to arrive early. 迟到 means to arrive late.
他今天迟到了。 (He was late today.)
早 on its own means 'early' or 'morning.' It can be confused with 早到 because of the shared character.
早 is an adjective or adverb meaning 'early.' 早到 is a verb phrase meaning 'to arrive early.' 早 refers to the time, 早到 refers to the action of arriving.
你起得真早。 (You woke up really early.)
到 means 'to arrive' or 'to reach.' Students might think it's enough to just say 到.
到 means 'to arrive' generally. 早到 specifically means 'to arrive early.' Using 早到 adds the nuance of earliness.
我到家了。 (I've arrived home.)
提前 means 'to be ahead of schedule' or 'in advance,' which has a similar concept of 'early.'
早到 specifically refers to arriving early at a place or event. 提前 is broader and can refer to doing something earlier than planned, not just arriving. For example, 提前完成 (finish early).
会议提前了。 (The meeting was moved up/earlier.)
This word also relates to timing and arrival, like 早到.
早到 means to arrive early. 准时 means to arrive on time, neither early nor late.
请准时出席。 (Please attend on time.)
Sentence Patterns
Subj. + 早到
他早到了。(Tā zǎo dào le.) - He arrived early.
Subj. + Verb + 早到
我喜欢早到。(Wǒ xǐhuān zǎo dào.) - I like to arrive early.
Subj. + Time + 早到
我今天早到了十分钟。(Wǒ jīntiān zǎo dào le shí fēnzhōng.) - I arrived ten minutes early today.
Subj. + 是 + 应该 + 早到 + 的
学生是应该早到的。(Xuésheng shì yīnggāi zǎo dào de.) - Students should arrive early.
为了 + Reason + Subj. + 早到
为了准备会议，她早到了。(Wèi le zhǔnbèi huìyì, tā zǎo dào le.) - To prepare for the meeting, she arrived early.
如果 + Condition, Subj. + 就要 + 早到
如果你想选个好位置，就要早到。(Rúguǒ nǐ xiǎng xuǎn gè hǎo wèizhì, jiù yào zǎo dào.) - If you want a good seat, you need to arrive early.
Subj. + 常常 + 早到 + 以便 + Purpose
他常常早到以便检查设备。(Tā chángcháng zǎo dào yǐbiàn jiǎnchá shèbèi.) - He often arrives early in order to check the equipment.
即使 + Condition, Subj. + 也 + 早到
即使下雨，他也会早到。(Jíshǐ xià yǔ, tā yě huì zǎo dào.) - Even if it rains, he will arrive early.
Word Family
Verbs
Adjectives
Tips
Basic Meaning
早到 (zǎodào) literally means 'early arrive'. It's straightforward. You '早到' when you get somewhere before the scheduled time.
Structure
The structure is simple: Subject + 早到 + (place/event). For example, '他早到学校' (Tā zǎodào xuéxiào) means 'He arrived early at school'.
Opposite: 迟到
The opposite of 早到 is 迟到 (chídào), which means 'to arrive late'. Knowing both helps you understand the concept of timeliness better.
Common Usage
You'll hear this when talking about meetings, appointments, or classes. '我明天会早到' (Wǒ míngtiān huì zǎodào) means 'I will arrive early tomorrow'.
With a Time Phrase
You can add how early someone arrived. '他早到十分钟' (Tā zǎodào shí fēnzhōng) means 'He arrived ten minutes early'.
Implying Preparedness
Sometimes, 早到 implies you are well-prepared or eager. It's often seen as a positive trait.
Using '为了'
You can use '为了' (wèile) meaning 'in order to' to explain why someone arrived early. '为了学习，他早到学校' (Wèile xuéxí, tā zǎodào xuéxiào) means 'In order to study, he arrived early at school'.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, being on time or even slightly early (早到) is generally seen as respectful and shows good manners, especially in formal settings.
Practice Sentences
Try making sentences about your own schedule. For example, '我喜欢早到机场' (Wǒ xǐhuān zǎodào jīchǎng) - 'I like to arrive early at the airport'.
Pronunciation Check
Pay attention to the tones: zǎo (3rd tone) dào (4th tone). Practice saying it aloud to get the intonation right.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine '早 (zǎo)' like 'SAW' the clock, and '到 (dào)' like 'DOWn' early. You SAW the time and got DOWn to the location early.
Visual Association
Picture a clock with a very early bird perched on the minute hand, symbolizing 'early arrival'.
Word Web
Challenge
Think about a time you arrived early for something. Describe it in Chinese using '早到'.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsBoth 早到 (zǎo dào) and 提前 (tí qián) involve being early, but they're used in different contexts.
早到 specifically means 'to arrive early.' It focuses on the act of arriving before the scheduled time.
Example: 我今天早到了十分钟。(Wǒ jīn tiān zǎo dào le shí fēn zhōng.) - I arrived ten minutes early today.
提前 is more general and means 'to do something in advance' or 'ahead of schedule.' It can apply to various actions, not just arriving.
Example: 我们可以提前预订座位吗？(Wǒ men kě yǐ tí qián yù dìng zuò wèi ma?) - Can we book seats in advance?
Not really. While you can think of a train or a package arriving early, 早到 is primarily used for people arriving at a place. For things, you'd usually use 提前 (tí qián) or just describe it as 'ahead of schedule.'
Example for a package: 我的包裹提前到了。(Wǒ de bāo guǒ tí qián dào le.) - My package arrived early.
The opposite of 早到 (to arrive early) is 迟到 (chí dào), which means 'to arrive late.'
Example: 他昨天迟到了。(Tā zuó tiān chí dào le.) - He was late yesterday.
You can say: 我早到了十五分钟。 (Wǒ zǎo dào le shí wǔ fēn zhōng.)
Remember to put the amount of time after 早到.
Generally, yes! In many Chinese cultural contexts, being 早到 is seen as a sign of respect, punctuality, and preparedness. It shows you value the other person's time and the importance of the event.
Yes, you can. You would use 太早到了 (tài zǎo dào le).
Example: 我今天太早到了，没有人。(Wǒ jīn tiān tài zǎo dào le, méi yǒu rén.) - I arrived too early today, there's no one here.
早 (zǎo) means 'early,' and 到 (dào) means 'to arrive' or 'to reach.' When combined as 早到, it specifically forms the verb phrase 'to arrive early.'
You wouldn't just say '我早到' without a context or object like '我早到公司' (I arrived early at the company). But when you put the time after, it's very natural: '我早到了。' (I arrived early.)
Absolutely!
Example: 你早到了吗？(Nǐ zǎo dào le ma?) - Did you arrive early?
Example: 他为什么早到？(Tā wèi shén me zǎo dào?) - Why did he arrive early?
When you're talking about a completed action of arriving early, you will often use the particle 了 (le) to indicate that the action has happened.
Example: 我已经早到了。(Wǒ yǐ jīng zǎo dào le.) - I have already arrived early.
However, you don't always need it if you're talking about a general habit or intention.
Example: 我喜欢早到。(Wǒ xǐ huān zǎo dào.) - I like to arrive early.
A common and useful phrase is 早到总比迟到好。 (Zǎo dào zǒng bǐ chí dào hǎo.) - Arriving early is always better than arriving late. This highlights the positive connotation of 早到.
Test Yourself 102 questions
Which of the following means 'to arrive early'?
早到 (zǎo dào) means 'to arrive early'. 迟到 (chí dào) means 'to be late'. 回家 (huí jiā) means 'to go home'. 吃饭 (chī fàn) means 'to eat a meal'.
If you want to say 'He arrived early.', which word would you use?
早到 (zǎo dào) is the correct word for 'to arrive early'. 晚到 (wǎn dào) means 'to arrive late'. 不到 (bù dào) means 'not arrive' or 'less than'. 快到 (kuài dào) means 'almost there'.
Which sentence uses '早到' correctly?
他早到 (Tā zǎo dào.) means 'He arrived early.' This is a correct and simple usage. The other options do not use 早到 or use it incorrectly in this context.
The phrase '早到' means 'to be late'.
No, '早到' (zǎo dào) means 'to arrive early'. '迟到' (chí dào) means 'to be late'.
If you are early for a meeting, you can say '我早到'.
Yes, '我早到' (Wǒ zǎo dào) means 'I arrived early,' which is appropriate if you are early for a meeting.
'早到' is an adjective.
No, '早到' (zǎo dào) is a verb, meaning 'to arrive early'.
I arrived early.
Why did you arrive early?
He arrived at the company very early.
Read this aloud:
我早到了。
Focus: zǎo dào le
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
请你早到。
Focus: qǐng nǐ zǎo dào
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我们早到，他们晚到。
Focus: wǒ men zǎo dào, tā men wǎn dào
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'I arrived early.' The basic sentence structure is Subject + Verb + 了 (le) indicating completion.
This question asks 'Do you like to arrive early?' The structure is Subject + 喜欢 (xǐhuān - like) + 早到 (zǎodào - arrive early) + 吗 (ma - question particle).
This means 'We need to arrive early.' 要 (yào) means 'to need' or 'to want'.
Choose the correct sentence: My friend always arrives early.
The character "早" (zǎo) means early, and "到" (dào) means to arrive. So, "早到" means to arrive early.
Which sentence means: Please arrive early tomorrow?
"请" (qǐng) means please, "明天" (míngtiān) means tomorrow, and "早到" (zǎodào) means to arrive early.
If you don't want to be late, you should try to ________.
To avoid being late (迟到 chí dào), you should aim to arrive early (早到 zǎo dào).
If someone tells you "请早到", it means they want you to arrive late.
"请早到" (qǐng zǎodào) means 'please arrive early'.
The phrase "早到" can be used to describe someone who is punctual.
Someone who is punctual often arrives early or on time. "早到" specifically refers to arriving early.
When you hear "早到", it refers to leaving early.
"早到" (zǎodào) means to arrive early, not to leave early.
I arrived early, so I'm waiting for you.
Why are you always early?
The meeting starts at 9, and I arrived early at 8:30.
Read this aloud:
我早到了。
Focus: zǎo dào le
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
他今天早到了吗？
Focus: tā jīn tiān zǎo dào le ma
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你喜欢早到还是晚到？
Focus: nǐ xǐ huān zǎo dào hái shì wǎn dào
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a sentence using '早到' to say 'He arrived early at the meeting.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
他早到会议了。
Write a sentence using '早到' to ask 'Why did you arrive early today?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你今天为什么早到了？
Write a sentence using '早到' to say 'If you arrive early, you can choose a good seat.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
如果你早到，就可以选择一个好座位。
小王为什么总是早到办公室？
Read this passage:
小王总是早到办公室，所以他有时间准备一天的工作。他认为早到可以让他更有效率。今天，他又第一个到了公司。
小王为什么总是早到办公室？
文章中提到 '他有时间准备一天的工作。'
文章中提到 '他有时间准备一天的工作。'
关于小李，下列哪项是正确的？
Read this passage:
我的朋友小李不喜欢早到。她总是踩着点到，有时甚至会迟到。但是，她工作效率很高。
关于小李，下列哪项是正确的？
文章中明确提到 '我的朋友小李不喜欢早到。'
文章中明确提到 '我的朋友小李不喜欢早到。'
作者早到的原因是什么？
Read this passage:
为了避免交通拥堵，我通常会早到。这样我不仅可以避开高峰期，还可以轻松找到停车位。
作者早到的原因是什么？
文章中提到 '为了避免交通拥堵，我通常会早到。这样我不仅可以避开高峰期，还可以轻松找到停车位。'
文章中提到 '为了避免交通拥堵，我通常会早到。这样我不仅可以避开高峰期，还可以轻松找到停车位。'
因为交通堵塞，我恐怕不能___。
The sentence implies that due to traffic, arriving early is unlikely. '早到' (zǎodào) means 'to arrive early'.
为了能选到好座位，我们决定___。
To get good seats, arriving early makes the most sense. '早到' (zǎodào) means 'to arrive early'.
会议通知上说要我们___十分钟，以便做准备。
The notification asks to arrive ten minutes early to prepare. '早到' (zǎodào) means 'to arrive early'.
如果你能___，请告诉我一声。
This sentence asks to be informed if one can arrive early. '早到' (zǎodào) means 'to arrive early'.
他习惯了每天___办公室，处理邮件。
The sentence describes someone who usually arrives early to deal with emails. '早到' (zǎodào) means 'to arrive early'.
火车通常会___，所以我们不必担心。
If the train usually arrives early, then there's no need to worry. '早到' (zǎodào) means 'to arrive early'.
她总是___上班。
The sentence implies a habit of being early, so '早到' (to arrive early) is the correct choice.
为了不堵车，我们决定___。
To avoid traffic jams, it's logical to arrive early. '早到' fits this context.
如果你___，就能选到好座位。
Arriving early ('早到') allows for better seat selection.
会议通知说十点开始，小王九点半就到了，说明他早到了。
If the meeting starts at 10:00 and Xiao Wang arrived at 9:30, he arrived early ('早到').
老师要求学生九点到教室，小李九点零五分才来，所以他早到了。
If the teacher requires students to be in the classroom at 9:00 and Xiao Li arrived at 9:05, he was late, not early.
我们通常会提前半小时到达机场，以确保可以早到。
Arriving half an hour early at the airport is a strategy to ensure one '早到' (arrives early) for the flight.
You are meeting a Chinese friend for dinner. Write a short message telling them you've arrived early and are waiting. Use '早到'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你好！我已经早到饭店了，正在等你。不见不散！ (Hi! I've arrived at the restaurant early and am waiting for you. See you there!)
Describe a time you arrived early for an event and what you did while waiting. Use '早到'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
上周六，我早到了音乐会。因为还有半个小时，所以我拿出书看了起来。(Last Saturday, I arrived early for the concert. Since there was still half an hour, I took out a book and started reading.)
Write a short paragraph about the advantages of arriving early for a meeting or appointment. Use '早到'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
早到会议有很多好处。你可以有时间准备资料，熟悉环境，也可以喝杯咖啡放松一下，这样开会的时候效率会更高。(Arriving early for a meeting has many benefits. You can have time to prepare materials, familiarize yourself with the environment, and also have a cup of coffee to relax, so you'll be more efficient during the meeting.)
小明早到学校的原因是什么？
Read this passage:
小明总是喜欢早到学校。他认为这样可以避免迟到，也能有更多时间预习当天的课程。有时候，他还会帮老师整理教室。
小明早到学校的原因是什么？
文章中提到“他认为这样可以避免迟到，也能有更多时间预习当天的课程。” (The passage states that 'he thinks this can avoid being late and also have more time to preview the day's lessons.')
文章中提到“他认为这样可以避免迟到，也能有更多时间预习当天的课程。” (The passage states that 'he thinks this can avoid being late and also have more time to preview the day's lessons.')
李女士早到公司有哪些好处？
Read this passage:
为了避免交通堵塞，李女士总是早到公司。她发现早到可以让她有时间处理一些紧急邮件，并且能更平静地开始一天的工作。早到也帮助她更好地规划一天。
李女士早到公司有哪些好处？
文章中提到“为了避免交通堵塞，李女士总是早到公司。她发现早到可以让她有时间处理一些紧急邮件”。 (The passage states 'To avoid traffic jams, Ms. Li always arrives at work early. She finds that arriving early allows her time to deal with some urgent emails'.)
文章中提到“为了避免交通堵塞，李女士总是早到公司。她发现早到可以让她有时间处理一些紧急邮件”。 (The passage states 'To avoid traffic jams, Ms. Li always arrives at work early. She finds that arriving early allows her time to deal with some urgent emails'.)
为什么面试时早到很重要？
Read this passage:
参加重要的面试时，早到是非常关键的。这不仅能给你留下充足的时间调整心态，还能让你有机会观察周围环境，从而表现得更自信。早到也能展示你对这次机会的重视。
为什么面试时早到很重要？
文章中提到“这不仅能给你留下充足的时间调整心态，还能让你有机会观察周围环境”。 (The passage states 'This not only gives you ample time to adjust your mindset, but also gives you the opportunity to observe your surroundings'.)
文章中提到“这不仅能给你留下充足的时间调整心态，还能让你有机会观察周围环境”。 (The passage states 'This not only gives you ample time to adjust your mindset, but also gives you the opportunity to observe your surroundings'.)
This sentence means 'We arrived at the meeting half an hour early.'
This sentence means 'He likes to arrive early every time.'
This sentence means 'To prepare for the exam, I arrive at school early every day.'
The speaker arrived early and is offering help.
The speaker suggests arriving earlier for more discussion time.
The speaker is commenting on someone's punctuality for meetings.
Read this aloud:
我喜欢早到，这样可以避免高峰期。
Focus: 高峰期 (gāo fēng qī)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
早到对你有什么好处？
Focus: 好处 (hǎo chù)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
为了早到，我通常会提前出门。
Focus: 提前 (tí qián)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The sentence means: They all arrived early for the meeting. The structure '因为...所以...' (because...therefore...) is common, but '因为' can also introduce a reason without '所以' if the consequence is implied or already known. Here, '早到会议' (arrive early for the meeting) acts as the predicate.
The sentence means: She arrives early for work every time, so she has earned the boss's trust. '每次早到工作' (every time arrive early for work) is the reason, and '深得老板的信任' (deeply gain the boss's trust) is the result.
The sentence means: We should arrive early at the airport, to avoid missing the flight. '以免' (so as not to; in order to avoid) connects the action (arriving early) with the negative consequence it aims to prevent.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: “由于提前出发，我们______会议室。”
The sentence implies arriving ahead of schedule, making '早到' (arrive early) the best fit. '迟到' means 'arrive late', '到达' means 'arrive', and '离开' means 'leave'.
Which of the following sentences correctly uses “早到”？
“早到” is a verb meaning 'to arrive early'. Option A uses it correctly in the context of arriving early at the library. Option B incorrectly uses it with a noun '书' (book). Option C is grammatically awkward; '他早到了一个小时' would be more natural as '他提前了一个小时到' or '他早到一个小时'. Option D incorrectly uses it with the verb '睡觉' (sleep).
If you want to emphasize arriving at a destination earlier than planned, which phrase is most suitable?
While '早到' means to arrive early, '提前到达' (arrive ahead of schedule) more directly emphasizes arriving earlier than planned or expected. '按时到达' and '准时到达' both mean 'arrive on time'. '迟到' means 'arrive late'.
The sentence “他早到了一份文件” correctly uses “早到” to mean he arrived early with a document.
“早到” is a verb meaning 'to arrive early'. It cannot be directly followed by a noun like '一份文件' (a document) in this way. To express that he arrived early with a document, one would typically say something like '他早到并带来了一份文件' (He arrived early and brought a document).
It is grammatically correct to say “我喜欢早到公司，这样可以有更多时间准备工作。”
This sentence correctly uses “早到” (arrive early) to describe the action of arriving at the company ahead of time, indicating a preference for extra preparation time.
“早到” can be used as an adjective to describe a person who is habitually early.
“早到” is primarily a verb meaning 'to arrive early'. While you can describe someone as a '早到者' (early arriver), '早到' itself is not typically used as an adjective to directly describe a person's characteristic of being habitually early.
她总是___，所以从来不会错过会议的开始。
Context indicates someone who doesn't miss the beginning of meetings, implying they arrive early. '早到' (zǎodào) means 'to arrive early'.
为了能选到好座位，他决定___电影院。
To get good seats, one would need to arrive early. '早到' (zǎodào) fits this context.
如果你想避免高峰期的人潮，最好___。
To avoid crowds during peak hours, arriving early ('早到') is the most logical choice.
比赛前，教练要求所有队员___训练场。
Coaches typically ask players to arrive early ('早到') before a game for preparation.
尽管交通拥堵，他还是设法___机场，赶上了航班。
Despite traffic, '早到' (arriving early) would be necessary to catch a flight, implying good time management.
她喜欢在派对开始前___，帮忙做些准备工作。
Helping with preparations before a party starts means arriving early, which is '早到'.
Choose the most appropriate response to: 你的航班是几点？
If someone asks about your flight time, and you want to say you arrived early, '我早到了，正在等候登机' (I arrived early, and am waiting to board) is the most natural and complete response.
Which sentence correctly uses '早到' to imply a positive outcome?
The phrase '早到' often carries a connotation of being prepared or getting an advantage. This option is the only one where arriving early leads to a positive outcome (being able to prepare in advance).
In a formal business setting, which phrase is a polite way to suggest someone should '早到'?
'希望您能早到' (I hope you can arrive early) is a polite and formal suggestion. The other options are more direct commands or strong suggestions that might be considered less polite in a formal context.
If you '早到' for an appointment, it means you arrived exactly on time.
'早到' specifically means to arrive earlier than the scheduled or expected time, not exactly on time.
The sentence '他喜欢早到，所以他每次都能找到一个好停车位。' implies that arriving early is beneficial.
The sentence clearly states a positive outcome ('找到一个好停车位' - find a good parking spot) as a result of arriving early, thus implying it's beneficial.
You can use '早到' when talking about a package that was delivered sooner than expected.
'早到' specifically refers to a person or people arriving early. For a package, you would typically use phrases like '提前送达' (delivered in advance) or '比预期早到了' (arrived earlier than expected).
Pay attention to how '早到' is used in the context of traffic and preparation.
Notice the reason given for arriving early.
What is her daily habit and why?
Read this aloud:
请你用“早到”描述一个你为了给别人留下好印象而提前行动的经历。
Focus: 早到 (zǎo dào)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你认为在团队项目中，成员们都早到开会的好处是什么？
Focus: 早到 (zǎo dào)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
描述一个你因为早到而避免了某种麻烦或获得了额外好处的情景。
Focus: 早到 (zǎo dào)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you are planning a surprise birthday party for a friend. Describe how you would ensure all your guests arrive early to set up before the birthday person gets there. Use '早到' at least once in your response.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
为了给朋友一个惊喜的生日派对，我会提前通知所有来宾，强调一定要早到，这样我们就有足够的时间布置场地，并在寿星到来前藏好。我会告诉他们早到是成功的关键。
You are a project manager. Write a short email to your team reminding them about an important meeting tomorrow morning. Emphasize the importance of arriving early to discuss last-minute details. Use '早到' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
各位团队成员，明早九点的项目会议非常重要。请大家务必早到十五分钟，以便我们有时间讨论一些最后的细节并确保一切准备就绪。谢谢合作。
Describe a personal experience where arriving early (早到) made a significant positive difference, or where not arriving early caused a problem. Reflect on the lessons learned.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我记得有一次重要的面试，我特意早到了半小时。这让我有足够的时间熟悉环境，冷静下来，并且在面试前做了最后的准备。结果面试非常顺利。从那以后，我深刻体会到早到的好处，它能帮助我更好地应对各种情况，避免不必要的慌乱。
根据文章，为什么在中国文化中早到被认为是一种美德？
Read this passage:
在中国的传统文化中，准时甚至早到被视为一种美德，尤其是在商务场合或重要的社交活动中。这不仅体现了对他人时间的尊重，也展现了自身的责任感和准备充分。例如，参加婚礼时早到，可以帮助主人做些力所能及的准备工作，或者提前与其他宾客交流，增进感情。
根据文章，为什么在中国文化中早到被认为是一种美德？
文章中明确指出：“这不仅体现了对他人时间的尊重，也展现了自身的责任感和准备充分。”
文章中明确指出：“这不仅体现了对他人时间的尊重，也展现了自身的责任感和准备充分。”
文章中提到旅客早到火车站排队的主要原因是什么？
Read this passage:
火车票务系统时常出现排队现象，尤其是在节假日期间。许多旅客为了能买到心仪的座位，宁愿牺牲睡眠时间，选择早到火车站排队。这种行为在某种程度上反映了人们对出行的重视，也折射出公共资源分配的挑战。
文章中提到旅客早到火车站排队的主要原因是什么？
文章指出：“许多旅客为了能买到心仪的座位，宁愿牺牲睡眠时间，选择早到火车站排队。”
文章指出：“许多旅客为了能买到心仪的座位，宁愿牺牲睡眠时间，选择早到火车站排队。”
根据文章，小李为什么获得了领导的赞赏？
Read this passage:
小李今天的工作表现异常出色，同事们都很好奇原因。原来他昨晚通宵加班，今早又早到办公室，提前完成了所有准备工作，确保了会议的顺利进行。他的努力得到了领导的赞赏，也为团队树立了榜样。
根据文章，小李为什么获得了领导的赞赏？
文章明确提到：“原来他昨晚通宵加班，今早又早到办公室，提前完成了所有准备工作，确保了会议的顺利进行。他的努力得到了领导的赞赏。”
文章明确提到：“原来他昨晚通宵加班，今早又早到办公室，提前完成了所有准备工作，确保了会议的顺利进行。他的努力得到了领导的赞赏。”
/ 102 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use '早到' to express the simple concept of arriving earlier than planned.
- Arrive early
- Used for people or things arriving
- Opposite of 迟到 (chídào - to arrive late)
Basic Meaning
早到 (zǎodào) literally means 'early arrive'. It's straightforward. You '早到' when you get somewhere before the scheduled time.
Structure
The structure is simple: Subject + 早到 + (place/event). For example, '他早到学校' (Tā zǎodào xuéxiào) means 'He arrived early at school'.
Opposite: 迟到
The opposite of 早到 is 迟到 (chídào), which means 'to arrive late'. Knowing both helps you understand the concept of timeliness better.
Common Usage
You'll hear this when talking about meetings, appointments, or classes. '我明天会早到' (Wǒ míngtiān huì zǎodào) means 'I will arrive early tomorrow'.
Example
他习惯每次开会都早到。
Related Content
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
More time words
很久
A1A long time (ago); for a long time.
之后
A1After; subsequent to.
年老
A1Old (of people).
日程表
A1Schedule; timetable.
约定
A1To agree on a time; to make an appointment.
超前
B1Ahead of time; advanced.
提前
A1In advance; ahead of schedule.
随着
B1Along with; as (time passes).
古老
A1Ancient; age-old.
周年
A1Anniversary.
