早到 means 'to arrive early' and is commonly used in situations where punctuality is emphasized, such as meetings, events, or appointments. The term combines '早' (early) with '到' (to arrive), indicating not just being on time, but being ahead of schedule.
HSK 3, 16 strokes, Hard
zǎodào(zao3dao4) T3
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May 27, 2026
早到zǎodào(zao3dao4)
早到 means 'to arrive early' and is commonly used in situations where punctuality is emphasized, such as meetings, events, or appointments. The term combines '早' (early) with '到' (to arrive), indicating not just being on time, but being ahead of schedule.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, punctuality is highly valued, especially in business and social settings. Arriving early is often seen as a sign of respect and professionalism.
Memory Tip
Imagine you are a bird ('早' has the meaning of early, and you think of a bird that wakes up at dawn) that arrives at a beautiful sunrise ('到' means to arrive). This image of an early bird arriving to enjoy the dawn can help you remember '早到'.
About 早到
早到Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryHSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 早到
Podcast: 早到
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AI Study Notes for 早到
Quick Contrast
提前 (tíqián) vs 早到 (zǎodào): use 提前 when emphasizing the act of doing something ahead of a scheduled time, while 早到 specifically refers to arriving early.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine you are a bird ('早' has the meaning of early, and you think of a bird that wakes up at dawn) that arrives at a beautiful sunrise ('到' means to arrive). This image of an early bird arriving to enjoy the dawn can help you remember '早到'.
Usage Notes
This term is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but pay attention to the tone; saying '早到' with the wrong tone could confuse its meaning. Common collocations include '早到会议' (arrive early for a meeting) or '早到机场' (arrive early at the airport).
HSK Study Tips
At HSK level 3, focus on using '早到' in sentences related to schedules or plans. It connects well with other time-related vocabulary like '早' (early), '晚' (late), and '准时' (on time), helping to enhance your overall fluency in discussing time.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, punctuality is highly valued, especially in business and social settings. Arriving early is often seen as a sign of respect and professionalism.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '早到' with '迟到' (to arrive late). For example, saying '我今天早到会议' (I arrived late to the meeting today) is incorrect; it should be '我今天迟到会议'.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 早到
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Cultural Notes for 早到
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, punctuality is highly valued, especially in business and social settings. Arriving early is often seen as a sign of respect and professionalism.
Frequently Asked Questions about 早到
'早到' can be used in sentences like '我明天会早到会议' (I will arrive early to the meeting tomorrow).
'早到' is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it's especially common in professional settings.
Yes, '早到' can be used for social events, indicating that you plan to arrive before the scheduled start time.
