Meaning and Usage
The verb 早める (はやめる) means "to make something earlier" or "to speed up". It is a transitive verb, so it always takes a direct object, usually a time or schedule-related noun.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 早める in contexts involving schedules, deadlines, or processes where something is done sooner than originally planned. For example, starting a meeting earlier, leaving earlier to avoid traffic, or accelerating project progress.
Collocations and Patterns
- 〜時間を早める: to make the time earlier (e.g., 会議の開始時間を早める)
- 〜出発を早める: to leave earlier (e.g., 出発時間を早める)
- 〜進行を早める: to speed up progress (e.g., プロジェクトの進行を早める)
Register and Nuance
This verb is neutral and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. It implies a deliberate action to shift timing or speed up a process.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 早める with 速める (also read はやめる), which means "to increase speed" in a physical sense (like speeding up a vehicle). 早める focuses on making something happen earlier in time, not necessarily faster in motion.