早年 zǎonián many years ago
many years ago; in the past; in one's early years
How to remember 早年: 早 early + 年 year = many years ago.
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How it is used
- In one's early years / years ago - 他早年在国外求学 (tā zǎonián zài guówài qiúxué) in his early years he studied abroad.
- Points to the distant earlier part of someone's life or the past. Contrast 早日 (zǎorì, 'at an early date' = soon, future-facing).