Früh
Ich stehe immer früh auf.
I always get up early.
happening or done before the usual, expected, or desired time.
Der Zug kam zu früh an.
The train arrived too early.
Früher Frühling ist dieses Jahr ungewöhnlich.
An early spring is unusual this year.
Used with time expressions (e.g., 'früh am Morgen' = early in the morning).
of or relating to the beginning of a period or process.
Die frühen 1990er Jahre waren eine spannende Zeit.
The early 1990s were an exciting time.
Often used with time periods (e.g., 'frühe Kindheit' = early childhood).
of a person: young in age or experience.
Er ist noch sehr früh in seinem Beruf.
He is still very young in his profession.
Common in phrases like 'frühe Jahre' (early years).
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Collocations
'Früh' is frequently paired with time-related verbs (e.g., 'früh aufstehen', 'früh anfangen') or nouns (e.g., 'frühe Jahre', 'frühe Kindheit').
Gold Rule
Adjective vs. Adverb
'Früh' as an adjective modifies nouns (e.g., 'eine frühe Ankunft' = an early arrival), while as an adverb it modifies verbs (e.g., 'er kommt früh' = he comes early).
Word Origin
From Old High German 'frō', related to Old English 'frōd' (wise) and Latin 'prō' (before). The sense of 'early' developed from the idea of being before the usual time.
Usage Notes
'Früh' can function as an adjective, adverb, or noun (der Früh = morning dew, archaic). In compound words, it often implies 'early' or 'premature' (e.g., 'Frühgeburt' = premature birth).