早 期(そうき)

そうき

noun

early stage; early period

time-general

1. early stage; early period

The initial or early phase of a process, condition, or time period.

病気(びょうき)を早期(そうき)に発見(はっけん)する。

To detect the illness early.

早期(そうき)退職(たいしょく)を選(えら)んだ。

I chose early retirement.

問題(もんだい)の早期(そうき)解決(かいけつ)を目指(めざ)す。

We aim for an early resolution of the problem.

早期(そうき) means "early stage" or "early period" — it refers to the beginning phase of a process, condition, or timeline. Almost always used as a modifier before another noun.

Compounds

早期(そうき)発見(はっけん): early detection
早期(そうき)治療(ちりょう): early treatment
早期(そうき)退職(たいしょく): early retirement
早期(そうき)解決(かいけつ): early resolution
早期(そうき)教育(きょういく): early education

Common patterns

早期(そうき)に発見(はっけん)する: to detect at an early stage
早期(そうき)の段階(だんかい)で: at an early stage

Similar words

初期(しょき): initial stage (the very beginning; also used for "early" in diseases)
早急(さっきゅう): urgent, prompt (emphasizes speed rather than timing)

Related Words

Compare: 初期(しょき) (initial stage (the very beginning)

Compare: 早急(さっきゅう) (urgent, prompt)

general

Added 2026.2.3 9:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

09500/09568_souki