zou2 hei2早起
Jyutpingzou2 hei2
Yalejóu héi
Definition
To get up early in the morning.
neutraldaily actionstime
How it's used
While 早起 is understood, native speakers overwhelmingly prefer the phrasal verb 起身 when talking about the act of getting out of bed. Using 早起 often sounds slightly more formal or literary, similar to how one might use 'arise' instead of 'get up' in English. It is frequently encountered in set phrases or advice about health and lifestyle habits.
Examples
He gets up early every day to go jogging in the park.
Do you need to get up early for work tomorrow?
Related words
Common phrases
early to bed and early to rise
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 早起 with 早起身. While both are grammatically correct, 早起身 is the standard way to describe the daily habit of waking up early, whereas 早起 can sometimes imply a more deliberate or formal action.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
