Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
早上zǎoshang(zao3shang5)
早上 (zǎoshang) refers to the early morning hours, typically considered to be from dawn until around 10 a.m. It is commonly used in greetings and conversations about daily routines, such as '早上好' (Good morning). This term emphasizes the start of the day and is often associated with new beginnings.
Strokes9Frequency#655DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, early mornings are often associated with productivity and new beginnings, making 早上 a common time for exercise, meditation, or family gatherings over breakfast, which is considered an important meal.
Memory Tip
Imagine the sun rising early in the morning, casting bright rays that wake you up. The character 早 (zǎo) looks like a sun rising above the horizon (the top part) and a person getting out of bed (the bottom part), while 上 (shang) means 'up,' reinforcing that it is the early part of the day.
Meanings of 早上
zǎoshang(zao3shang5)
1early morning
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 早上
早上Simplified
9Strokes
—Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#655Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 早上
Podcast: 早上
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 早上
Quick Contrast
上午 (shàngwǔ) - use 早上 for early morning specifically, while 上午 refers to the late morning hours.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 早上; the first character 早 uses the third tone, while 上 uses the fifth tone. It's common to use this term in informal settings, but you can also use it in more formal contexts, such as in meetings or professional greetings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 早上 connects well with other time-related vocabulary like 下午 (xiàwǔ, afternoon) and 晚上 (wǎnshang, evening). Students should focus on using 早上 in sentences and greetings to gain familiarity with its practical applications.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 早上 with 上午; for example, saying '我有课在早上' (I have a class in the morning) is correct, but using it to refer to a class at 11 a.m. would be incorrect, as it should be 上午. Additionally, ensure you use the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 早上
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 早上 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
早上 (zǎoshang) refers to the early morning hours, typically considered to be from dawn until around 10 a.m. It is commonly used in greetings and conversations about daily routines, such as '早上好' (Good morning). This term emphasizes the start of the day and is often associated with new beginnings.
When to use 早上
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 早上; the first character 早 uses the third tone, while 上 uses the fifth tone. It's common to use this term in informal settings, but you can also use it in more formal contexts, such as in meetings or professional greetings.
早上 or something close to it
上午 (shàngwǔ) - use 早上 for early morning specifically, while 上午 refers to the late morning hours.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 早上 with 上午; for example, saying '我有课在早上' (I have a class in the morning) is correct, but using it to refer to a class at 11 a.m. would be incorrect, as it should be 上午. Additionally, ensure you use the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings.
Write 早上
早
上
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 早上 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 早上
早上 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
