Both words are pronounced はやい, but their usual written meanings differ.
The idea
Use 早い for a time earlier than expected or an early point in the day: 早く起きます means “get up early”. Use 速い for speed: 速く走ります means “run fast”. The adverb forms end in く.
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| 早い | 早い時間 |
| 速い | 速い電車 |
Examples
- 朝は早く起きます。I get up early in the morning.
- 今日は早い時間に帰ります。I will go home early today.
- 電車が予定より早く着きました。The train arrived earlier than scheduled.
- この電車は速いです。This train is fast.
- 彼は速く走ります。He runs fast.
- この川は流れが速いです。This river has a fast current.
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Watch out
A train can arrive 早く, before its scheduled time, or travel 速く, at high speed. The context determines the spelling.
Try it yourself
朝６時は＿＿時間です。（早い／速い）
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早い
早い describes an early time of day.
この車は時速２００キロで走ります。とても＿＿です。（早い／速い）
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速い
速い describes the car’s high speed.
約束の時間より＿＿着きました。（早く／速く）
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早く
早く describes arrival before the appointment time.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
朝６時は＿＿時間です。（早い／速い）
この車は時速２００キロで走ります。とても＿＿です。（早い／速い）
約束の時間より＿＿着きました。（早く／速く）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe an early arrival and something that moves fast.