1.
early shift; morning shift
A work shift that starts early in the day, typically in workplaces that operate in rotating shifts such as hospitals, factories, and retail stores.
明日は早番だ。
I'm on the early shift tomorrow.
今週は早番と遅番の交代だ。
This week I'm alternating between early and late shifts.
早番の日は朝5時に起きなければならない。
On early shift days, I have to get up at 5 a.m.
USAGE:
Common in workplaces with shift systems — hospitals, convenience stores, factories, retail shops. The opposite is 遅番 (late shift).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 早番の日 (early shift day)
- 早番勤務 (early shift duty)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 遅番: late shift — the opposite
- 夜勤: night shift — overnight work
- 日勤: day shift — standard daytime hours