earliest
[ˈɚliəst] /ˈər-lē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈɜːliɪst/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈɚliəst] /ˈɜːrliɪst/ (ame, ipa)
earliest — 形容詞
- earliestpositive
- more earliestcomparative
- most earliestsuperlative
1. happening nearest the start of a day, a season, a project, or any series — befor
最早的
在時間或過程的開頭
happening nearest the start of a day, a season, a project, or any series — before most other things have occurred or come into being.
Noa caught the earliest train to Taipei so she could arrive before lunch.
Noa 趕上了最早一班開往臺北的火車，這樣她就可以在午餐前抵達。
the earliest + noun denoting scheduled item
The earliest known written records of the Khmer kingdom date back to the 12th century.
高棉王國最早的已知文字記錄可追溯到 12 世紀。
Kenji's earliest memory is of sitting on his grandmother's veranda watching the rain.
Kenji 最早的記憶是坐在祖母的陽台上看雨。
The earliest chapters of the novel feel rushed, but the story improves later.
這部小說最早的幾個章節讀起來很倉促，但後來的故事越來越好。
These are among the earliest photographs ever taken of the city.
這些是這座城市最早被拍下的照片之一。
文法句型
the earliest + noun
one of the earliest + noun
用法筆記
Typically appears with 'the' when used as a superlative adjective modifying a noun: 'the earliest train', 'the earliest records'. Without 'the' it sounds incomplete in most contexts.
常見錯誤
2. belonging to the time that is furthest back in history — used when talking about
最古老的
歷史上最久遠的
belonging to the time that is furthest back in history — used when talking about ancient periods that have very old origins.
The earliest human tools were made from stone, bone, and wood.
最早的人類工具是用石頭、骨頭和木頭製成的。
Scholars are still debating the earliest origins of the Mayan calendar.
學者們仍在辯論馬雅曆法最早起源於何時。
These cave paintings are among the earliest examples of human art.
這些洞穴壁畫屬於人類最早的藝術作品之一。
The earliest settlers on the island arrived more than three thousand years ago.
島上最早的定居者在三千多年前抵達。
- oldest
more common in everyday speech; 'the oldest civilisation' is used alongside 'the earliest civilisation'
- most ancient
more formal and literary; 'the most ancient traditions' feels older than 'the earliest traditions'
- most recent
closest to the present day; 'the most recent discovery' vs 'the earliest discovery'
文法句型
the earliest + noun (abstract/historical)
用法筆記
Distinguish from SENSE 1: sense 1 refers to the beginning of any period (morning, season, project), while this sense refers specifically to the distant, ancient past. The noun subject is usually historical or archaeological.
3. at the simplest or least developed stage of something that later became more adv
最原始的
處在最簡單、未發展的階段
at the simplest or least developed stage of something that later became more advanced or complex — emphasising a lack of refinement rather than a position in time.
The earliest form of the language had no written script at all.
這種語言最早的形式完全沒有書寫文字。
the earliest form/type/stage of + noun
Cameras from the 1830s represent the earliest stage of photographic technology.
1830 年代的照相機代表了攝影技術的最早階段。
Biologists compare the earliest life forms with modern single-celled organisms.
生物學家將最早的生命形式與現代單細胞生物進行比較。
The earliest version of the software could only perform basic calculations.
該軟體最早期的版本只能執行基本的計算。
- most primitive
more direct but can sound negative; 'primitive tools' focuses on simplicity, 'earliest tools' is neutral
- most basic
focuses on minimal features; 'the most basic version' vs 'the earliest version'
- most advanced
most developed or sophisticated; 'the most advanced form' vs 'the earliest form'
- latest
the most recent version; 'the latest software' vs 'the earliest software'
文法句型
the earliest form/type/stage of + noun
用法筆記
This sense highlights a lack of development or sophistication, unlike sense 1 which is purely temporal. It often pairs with nouns like 'form', 'stage', 'type', 'version'.
4. happening before the time that is usual, normal, or arranged — often with a focu
提早的
比正常或計劃時間早
happening before the time that is usual, normal, or arranged — often with a focus on how surprisingly soon something occurs.
The earliest possible delivery date for the sofa is next Tuesday.
沙發最早可能送達的日期是下星期二。
the earliest possible + noun
This year's harvest was the earliest on record because of the warm spring.
由於春天溫暖，今年的收成是有記錄以來最早的一次。
the earliest + noun + on record
Ramón booked the earliest appointment at the clinic for his check-up.
Ramón 預約了診所最早的門診時間進行檢查。
The team scored its earliest goal of the season in the third minute.
該隊在比賽進行到第三分鐘時踢進了本賽季最早的一球。
Ava's flight from Manila landed at the earliest time Taoyuan Airport had ever recorded.
Ava 從馬尼拉出發的班機降落在桃園機場有史以來最早記錄的時間。
- soonest
more direct but less common in formal writing; 'the soonest date' vs 'the earliest date'
- latest
the most recent or last possible time; 'the latest possible delivery' vs 'the earliest possible delivery'
文法句型
the earliest possible + noun
the earliest + noun + on record
用法筆記
Often used with 'possible' to emphasise the soonest achievable time. Common in practical scheduling contexts (delivery, appointments, deadlines).
常見錯誤
5. happening or available within the shortest possible time from now — mostly found
早日
禮貌請求：方便時及早辦理
happening or available within the shortest possible time from now — mostly found in the polite formal phrase 'at your earliest convenience'.
Please send us the signed invoice at your earliest convenience.
請在方便時將簽署好的發票寄給我們。
at + possessive + earliest convenience
The HR manager asked me to reply at my earliest convenience.
人資主管請我在方便時回覆。
We would appreciate hearing your decision at your earliest opportunity.
希望您方便時能讓我們知道您的決定。
Please review the contract at your earliest convenience and let us know.
請在方便時審閱合約並通知我們。
- soonest
less formal and less common; 'at your soonest' is occasionally used but considered non-standard
文法句型
at + possessive + earliest convenience
用法筆記
Almost entirely fixed in the expression 'at your/his/her/their earliest convenience'. This is a polite formal phrase used in business correspondence. It does NOT mean 'immediately' — it means 'when you have a chance, without rushing'.
常見錯誤
6. (of plants, fruits, or vegetables) ready for picking or eating earlier in the gr
早熟的
在生長季中較早成熟的
(of plants, fruits, or vegetables) ready for picking or eating earlier in the growing season than other related types.
The earliest varieties of peach ripen in late spring.
最早熟的水蜜桃品種在春末成熟。
the earliest + plant/fruit variety
Farmers plant the earliest corn varieties in early March.
農民在 3 月初就種植最早熟的玉米品種。
These are the earliest apples of the season — they are ready by mid-July.
這些是本季最早熟的蘋果——它們在 7 月中旬就可以採收了。
Aylin grew the earliest tomatoes in the neighbourhood by using a small greenhouse.
Aylin 用了一個小溫室，種出了鄰里間最早熟的番茄。
- early-season
used to describe crops that appear at the start of the growing period; 'early-season strawberries'
- late-season
maturing or producing later in the year; 'late-season apples' vs 'earliest apples'
文法句型
the earliest + noun (plant/fruit/variety)
用法筆記
Used specifically in agricultural and gardening contexts. Unlike sense 4, which refers to any event happening sooner than expected, this sense is restricted to the growing cycle of plants.
earliest — 副詞
1. at the time that is nearest to the start of a day, season, process, or historica
最早；最開始
在時間或階段的開端
at the time that is nearest to the start of a day, season, process, or historical period, compared with others.
Of all the students, Daniel arrived earliest and stayed latest.
在所有學生中，Daniel 最早到校，最晚離開。
superlative adverb: verb + earliest
The cherry trees bloom earliest in the southern part of the valley.
山谷南邊的櫻花樹開花最早。
I wake up earliest on summer mornings because the light streams in.
夏天的早晨我醒得最早，因為光線會透進來。
The tribe that settled earliest built their homes closest to the river.
最早定居的那個部落把房子蓋得離河最近。
Among European countries, Portugal adopted the carbon tax policy earliest.
在歐洲國家中，葡萄牙最早採納了碳稅政策。
- soonest
carries a slightly different nuance of 'as soon as possible' rather than position in a timeline; 'the work finished soonest' suggests speed, not early start
- latest
at the most recent or last time; 'she finished latest' vs 'she finished earliest'
文法句型
verb + (the) earliest
verb + as early as possible
用法筆記
Unlike the adjective form, the adverb can appear without 'the': 'she arrived earliest' (adverb) vs 'she took the earliest train' (adjective). Both forms are correct, but 'the earliest' as an adverb is more common in formal writing.
常見錯誤
2. at the stage that is closest to the start of an activity, process, or series — b
初期
在活動或過程的最初階段
at the stage that is closest to the start of an activity, process, or series — before things have developed very far.
The team that scores earliest in a match often wins.
比賽中最先進球的那支隊伍往往會贏。
earliest + in + [process/activity]
Alessia realised earliest in the project that the timeline was too tight.
Alessia 在專案初期就意識到時間表太緊湊了。
Lung cancer is easiest to treat when it is caught at the earliest stage.
肺癌在最早階段被發現時最容易治療。
Problems identified earliest in the design phase cost much less to fix.
在設計階段最早發現的問題，修復成本要低得多。
- at the start
a phrase rather than a single word; 'at the start of the project' vs 'earliest in the project'
- latest
at the most advanced stage; 'identified latest in the process' vs 'identified earliest in the process'
文法句型
verb + earliest (in/at the + noun)
用法筆記
Often used with 'in' to specify what process or activity is being referred to: 'earliest in the match', 'earliest in the project'. This distinguishes it from sense 1, which focuses on clock/calendar time rather than stages of an activity.
3. at a time that comes before when something normally or usually happens, more so
比預期早
比慣例或預期時間更早
at a time that comes before when something normally or usually happens, more so than anything or anyone else.
Of all the guests, Mira left earliest because her son was unwell.
在所有賓客中，Mira 因為兒子不舒服而最早離開。
verb + earliest + of all / this year
The daffodils bloomed earliest this year after the mild winter.
經過溫暖的冬天，今年的水仙花開得最早。
Pim finished his exam earliest and sat quietly waiting for the bell.
Pim 最早考完試，靜靜坐著等鈴響。
The northern tribe harvested their crops earliest each autumn.
北邊的部落每年秋天都是最早收割作物的。
- soonest
overlaps significantly but 'soonest' emphasises speed of completion while 'earliest' emphasises position in a timeline before others
- latest
after the expected time; 'finished latest' vs 'finished earliest'
文法句型
verb + (the) earliest of all/comparison phrase
用法筆記
This sense contrasts actual timing with a normal or expected timeline. The comparison can be explicit ('earliest of all', 'earliest this year') or implied by context. Distinct from sense 1 because it focuses on 'earlier than normal' rather than 'near the start of a period'.
4. within the shortest possible time from now; with the least possible delay.
儘快
在最短時間內；盡可能快地
within the shortest possible time from now; with the least possible delay.
Please tell us the earliest you can confirm your attendance.
請告訴我們您最早可以確認出席的時間。
the earliest + subject + can
The earliest we can schedule the meeting is next Wednesday morning.
我們最早可以把會議安排在星期三上午。
the earliest + subject + can
Sana said she would finish the report earliest among the three interns.
Sana 說她會是三名實習生中最快完成報告的。
Cyrus replied to the invitation earliest, accepting it the same day.
Cyrus 是最早回覆邀請的人，當天就接受了。
- soonest
more natural in scheduling contexts; 'the soonest we can meet' feels slightly more informal than 'the earliest we can meet'
- latest
at the furthest possible time; 'the latest we can meet' vs 'the earliest we can meet'
文法句型
as early as possible
the earliest we can
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (which is about position in a timeline) and sense 3 (about being before expected time), this sense is about the soonness or speed of something happening relative to the present moment. It often appears in scheduling contexts.
常見錯誤
5. (of plants) at a time in the growing season that comes before when other related
最早熟
在生長季中比同類更早地
(of plants) at a time in the growing season that comes before when other related types or varieties are ready.
This strawberry variety fruits earliest of all the types we grow.
這個草莓品種是我們種植的所有品種中結果最早的。
verb + earliest + of all + [category]
The tulips planted in the sunniest spot bloomed earliest.
種在最向陽位置的鬱金香開花最早。
Among the apple trees on the farm, the Gravensteins ripen earliest.
農場所有的蘋果樹中，Gravenstein 品種成熟得最早。
The greenhouse tomatoes at the market always appear earliest each season.
市集上那些溫室番茄總是在每一季中最早出現。
- latest
ripening or producing later in the season; 'these ripen latest' vs 'these ripen earliest'
文法句型
verb + earliest of all + noun (variety/type)
用法筆記
A specialised agricultural sense, closely related to adjective sense 6. The adverbial form describes when the plant produces fruit or flowers relative to other varieties.
earliest — 名詞
1. the earliest possible time that something can happen — used after a date or time
最早；最快
表示某事的可能最早時間
the earliest possible time that something can happen — used after a date or time to state that it cannot happen before that point.
The construction work will finish in June at the earliest.
這項工程最快也要到六月才能完工。
time-expression + at the earliest
Ayana said she could arrive by Friday at the earliest.
Ayana 說她最快星期五才能到。
The report will not be ready until next week at the earliest.
這份報告最快也要到下星期才能準備好。
Yuna hopes to move into her new flat by March at the earliest.
Yuna 希望最快在三月能搬進新公寓。
The court will announce its decision in two months at the earliest.
法院最快也要兩個月後才會宣布判決。
- at the soonest
less common but synonymous; 'Tuesday at the soonest' means the same as 'Tuesday at the earliest'
- at the latest
the latest possible time something can happen; 'Tuesday at the latest' means 'by Tuesday, not after'
文法句型
time-expression + at the earliest
用法筆記
This is a fixed phrase that always follows a specific time or date. It functions as a postmodifier: '[time] at the earliest' means 'not before [time]'. Common in planning, logistics, legal and business contexts. Also appears in the negative structure 'not until [time] at the earliest'.