早期 (zǎo qī) is a neutral noun meaning 'early period/stage' of a process, era, or development. It is broader than 初期 (chū qī 'initial stage'), which focuses on the very beginning, and 前期 (qián qī 'preceding period'), which contrasts with a later phase. Unlike 一早 (yī zǎo 'early morning') or 早日 (zǎo rì 'soon'), 早期 is not about a single day but a span of time.