frühe

Frühe is a German term that can function as both a noun and an adjective, related to the concept of early time or the early part of the day. When capitalized as die Frühe, it most commonly functions as a noun meaning dawn or the early hours of the day, typically used in phrases such as in der Frühe or zur Frühe. As an attributive adjective, frühe accompanies feminine nouns in various cases (e.g., die frühe Stunde, in der frühen Morgenstunde).

Etymology and usage context: Frühe derives from the adjective früh, itself from the Germanic root meaning early. The nominal sense emerged in earlier stages of the language and persists in modern German, where it is more common in literary, poetic, or regional registers than in everyday speech.

Usage and nuance: The noun Frühe designates a specific early part of the day, often with connotations of quiet, beginnings, or early activity. In contemporary prose, speakers may prefer more common terms like Morgenstunde or morgens, depending on the register. Typical phrases include die Frühe des Tages, in der Frühe aufstehen, and zur Frühe, illustrating both time-of-day reference and idiomatic usage.

Other uses: Frühe can also appear as a surname or as part of place names in German-speaking areas, though such uses are relatively uncommon and context-dependent. It is not widely recognized as a standalone designation for a well-known person or location.