Meaning
及早 means to do something early or in a timely manner, emphasizing the importance of acting before it's too late. It conveys a sense of urgency and the wisdom of taking preventive action. The word combines 及 (to reach, to be in time) with 早 (early) to stress acting at the earliest opportunity.
Usage
及早 is commonly used in formal or written contexts to urge prompt action, especially regarding health, prevention, or problem-solving. It often appears in advice, warnings, or recommendations. Native speakers use it when emphasizing that delay could lead to worse outcomes, such as '及早发现，及早治疗' (early detection, early treatment).
Examples
- 01发现问题要及早解决，不要拖到最后。, .When you discover a problem, you should solve it early and not drag it out until the end.
- 02医生建议我们及早检查身体，预防疾病。, .The doctor advised us to get health check-ups early to prevent illness.
Characters
Common collocations
- 及早发现to detect early
- 及早治疗to treat early
- 及早预防to prevent early
- 及早采取措施to take measures early
Antonyms
Origin
The combination of 及 (to reach in time) and 早 (early) creates a compound emphasizing timeliness and the advantage of acting early rather than late.