How to Say "early" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “early” is “temprano” — use this adverb to describe when an action happens, especially in relation to the usual or expected time.
temprano
tem-PRA-notemˈpɾano
Examples
Me levanto temprano para ir a trabajar.
I get up early to go to work.
Llegamos demasiado temprano a la fiesta.
We arrived too early to the party.
Es mejor empezar temprano para terminar antes.
It's better to start early to finish sooner.
Fue una cena temprana, a las seis de la tarde.
It was an early dinner, at six in the evening.
The Unchanging Adverb
When 'temprano' describes an action (a verb), it always stays the same. It doesn't matter who is doing the action. It's always 'temprano'.
The Changing Adjective
When 'temprano' describes a thing (a noun), it needs to match that thing's gender and number. It can change to 'temprana' (for feminine things), 'tempranos' (for masculine plural things), or 'tempranas' (for feminine plural things).
Mixing it up with the adjective
Mistake: “She gets up early: *Ella se levanta temprana.*”
Correction: Say: *Ella se levanta temprano.* Because 'temprano' is describing the action of getting up (levantarse), not 'ella'.
Forgetting to match the noun
Mistake: “An early appointment: *una cita temprano*”
Correction: Say: *una cita temprana*. Because 'cita' is a feminine word, the adjective describing it also needs to be feminine.
temprano
tem-PRA-notemˈpɾano
Examples
Fue una cena temprana, a las seis de la tarde.
It was an early dinner, at six in the evening.
Me levanto temprano para ir a trabajar.
I get up early to go to work.
Llegamos demasiado temprano a la fiesta.
We arrived too early to the party.
Es mejor empezar temprano para terminar antes.
It's better to start early to finish sooner.
The Unchanging Adverb
When 'temprano' describes an action (a verb), it always stays the same. It doesn't matter who is doing the action. It's always 'temprano'.
The Changing Adjective
When 'temprano' describes a thing (a noun), it needs to match that thing's gender and number. It can change to 'temprana' (for feminine things), 'tempranos' (for masculine plural things), or 'tempranas' (for feminine plural things).
Mixing it up with the adjective
Mistake: “She gets up early: *Ella se levanta temprana.*”
Correction: Say: *Ella se levanta temprano.* Because 'temprano' is describing the action of getting up (levantarse), not 'ella'.
Forgetting to match the noun
Mistake: “An early appointment: *una cita temprano*”
Correction: Say: *una cita temprana*. Because 'cita' is a feminine word, the adjective describing it also needs to be feminine.
pronto
PRON-tohˈpɾon.to
Examples
Nos vemos pronto.
See you soon.
La cena estará lista pronto.
Dinner will be ready soon.
Termina la tarea pronto para que podamos jugar.
Finish the homework quickly so we can play.
An Adverb That Stays the Same
When 'pronto' means 'soon' or 'quickly', it's an adverb. This means it describes an action and never changes its ending. It's always 'pronto', never 'pronta' or 'prontos'.
Confusing 'Pronto' and 'Temprano'
Mistake: “Quiero despertar pronto mañana.”
Correction: Quiero despertar temprano mañana. (I want to wake up early tomorrow.) 'Pronto' means 'soon', while 'temprano' means 'early' in the sense of time of day.
primeros
pree-MEH-rohspɾiˈme.ɾos
Examples
Los primeros días de vacaciones siempre son los mejores.
The first days of vacation are always the best.
Necesitamos revisar los primeros capítulos del libro.
We need to review the first chapters of the book.
Llegamos en los primeros minutos de la película.
We arrived in the early minutes of the movie.
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'primeros' must always match the noun it describes: it is masculine and plural, so it goes with masculine plural nouns (e.g., los coches, los meses).
Placement
'Primeros' usually goes before the noun, emphasizing its role as an ordinal number (e.g., los primeros invitados).
Confusing Singular/Plural
Mistake: “Using *el primero* when referring to plural things, like *los primero libros*.”
Correction: Always use the plural form *los primeros libros* (the first books).
adelantado
ah-deh-lahn-TAH-doha.ðe.lanˈta.ðo
Examples
Mi reloj está cinco minutos adelantado.
My watch is five minutes fast (ahead).
Terminamos el trabajo tres días adelantados.
We finished the work three days ahead of schedule.
Es una tecnología muy adelantada para su época.
It is a very advanced technology for its time.
Gender Agreement
Like many Spanish adjectives, 'adelantado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes: 'un reloj adelantado' (masculine) but 'una tecnología adelantada' (feminine).
Mixing up 'Adelantar' and 'Avanzar'
Mistake: “Using 'avanzado' when referring to being ahead of a clock or schedule.”
Correction: Use 'adelantado' specifically for time or schedules: 'Estamos adelantados' (We are ahead of time). 'Avanzado' is better for general progress or complexity.
anticipado
an-tee-see-PAH-dohantiθiˈpaðo
Examples
Necesitamos un pago anticipado para reservar el hotel.
We need an advance payment to book the hotel.
Te doy las gracias por tu ayuda anticipada.
I thank you in advance for your help.
Su jubilación anticipada sorprendió a todos sus colegas.
His early retirement surprised all of his colleagues.
Matching Genders
Since this is a describing word (adjective), it must match the noun it describes. Use 'anticipado' for masculine words (el pago) and 'anticipada' for feminine words (la reserva).
Placement Matters
In Spanish, describing words usually go after the thing they describe. You say 'pago anticipado' (payment advance) rather than 'advance payment'.
Using 'en' instead of 'por'
Mistake: “Gracias en anticipado.”
Correction: Gracias por anticipado. In Spanish, we use the word 'por' to say 'in advance' when expressing thanks.
prematuro
pre-mah-TOO-rohpɾemaˈtuɾo
Examples
El invierno llegó de forma prematura este año.
Winter arrived prematurely this year.
Fue un final prematuro para una carrera tan exitosa.
It was a premature end to such a successful career.
No saques conclusiones prematuras antes de ver las pruebas.
Don't jump to premature conclusions before seeing the evidence.
Matching Gender and Number
Since this word describes things, it must match what it describes. Use 'prematuro' for masculine things, 'prematura' for feminine, and add an 's' for plural (prematuros/prematuras).
Prematuro vs. Temprano
Mistake: “Using 'temprano' to describe a baby born early.”
Correction: Use 'prematuro' for biological or developmental timing. 'Temprano' is for the time of day or general schedule (e.g., 'me levanté temprano').
precoz
pray-KOHSSpɾeˈkoθ
Examples
La detección precoz de la enfermedad salvó su vida.
The early detection of the disease saved his life.
Solicitó una jubilación precoz por motivos de salud.
He applied for early retirement for health reasons.
Su muerte precoz fue una gran tragedia para el mundo del arte.
His premature death was a great tragedy for the art world.
Placement with Nouns
In medical or technical terms like 'detección precoz', the adjective almost always comes after the noun.
Precoz vs. Temprano
Mistake: “Llegué precoz a la cita.”
Correction: Llegué temprano a la cita.
Temprano vs. Adelantado/Anticipado
Related Translations
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