4ADJ-GRADED [ADJ n](历史时期或事物存续期)早期的,初期的Early means near the beginning of a period in history, or in the history of something such as the world, a society, or an activity. (历史时期或事物存续期)早期的,初期的
...the early stages of pregnancy.
怀孕初期
...Fassbinder's early films.
法斯宾德的早期影片
...the early days of the occupation.
占领初期
It's too early to declare his efforts a success.
现在就断言他的努力已经获得成功还为时过早。
5ADJ-GRADED [ADJ n](作品、过程等)开始阶段的Early means near the beginning of something such as a piece of work or a process. (作品、过程等)开始阶段的
...an incident which occurred much earlier in the game.
比赛刚开始时发生的一件事
6ADJ-GRADED [ADJ n](植物)早开花的,早熟的Early refers to plants which flower or crop before or at the beginning of the main season. (植物)早开花的,早熟的
...these early cabbages and cauliflowers.
这些早熟卷心菜和花椰菜
Early is also an adverb.
...early flowering shrubs.
早花灌木
7ADJ-GRADED [ADJ n](传闻、迹象等)最早的,最初的Early reports or indications of something are the first reports or indications about it. (传闻、迹象等)最早的,最初的 [formal]
The early indications look encouraging.
开初的迹象看起来令人鼓舞。
Earlier reports that troops opened fire are now being denied.
有关军队开火的最初传闻现在遭到了否认。
8PHRASE 早在 You can use as early as to emphasize that a particular time or period is surprisingly early. 早在 [emphasis]
Inflation could fall back into single figures as early as this month.
通货膨胀率最早有可能在本月就回落至个位数。
...as early as 1838.
早在1838年
9PHRASE 言之过早;为时尚早 If you say about something that might be true that it is early days, you mean that it is too soon for you to be completely sure about it. 言之过早;为时尚早 [informal]
The chances of Francis eventually becoming manager of England are perhaps higher. It is early days, of course, and he has yet to win anything.