Meaning

Primary

As Soon As

Alternatives

Just After, Immediately After, Quickly, Early

Word Type

noun, suffix

Explanation

Essentially you have the kanji twice, because is just a repeater kanji. When you have something early twice, it obviously has some kind of urgency to it. You'll need to take an action as soon as you finish whatever it is you're doing there.

Reading

そうそう
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)
はやばや
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading is just the on'yomi readings (which you learned with the kanji) twice in a row.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 早々とかえる

    to go home early

    早々とねる

    to sleep early

    早々と引き上げる

    to withdraw quickly

Context Sentences

早々にメールありがとうございます。

Thank you for your prompt email response.

ホテルを出て早々アパートをかりた。

I started renting an apartment just after leaving the hotel.

うどんパーティは、つまらなくて早々と引き上げちゃった。

The udon party was boring, so I left early.

Kanji Composition