Definitions

dài (verb) to wear; to put on
dài (verb) to bear; to support

Etymology

Depicts two hands putting something on top of the head (). The 𢦏 and components both represent the sound.

About

The character "戴" originates from early depictions of adorning the head, structured with the component "異" above, which historically conveyed ideas of distinction or placing upon, and the element "戈" below, often linked to phonetic considerations. Its primary meaning centered on the physical act of wearing items on the head, such as hats or crowns, but over centuries this sense extended to general wearing, including garments and ornaments. This broadening allowed the character to acquire abstract applications, such as bearing a weight or responsibility, and further developed into expressing respect and honor, as seen in terms like "爱戴" denoting esteem. While its form has persisted without major structural change, the semantic journey of "戴" reflects a shift from concrete action to both physical and figurative carrying.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

了一顶帽子。

Tā dài le yī dǐng màozi.

He is wearing a hat.

我每天眼镜。

Wǒ měitiān dài yǎnjìng.

I wear glasses every day.

着手套做饭。

Tā dài zhe shǒutào zuò fàn.

She is cooking with gloves on.

现在出门要口罩。

Xiànzài chūmén yào dài kǒuzhào.

Now, when going out, you need to wear a mask.

了三年隐形眼镜。

Tā dài le sān nián yǐnxíng yǎnjìng.

He has worn contact lenses for three years.

我不喜欢沉重的项链。

Wǒ bù xǐhuan dài chénzhòng de xiàngliàn.

I do not like wearing heavy necklaces.

的那顶帽子非常漂亮。

Tā dài de nà dǐng màozi fēicháng piàoliang.

The hat she is wearing is very beautiful.

为了安全,工人们必须好安全帽。

Wèile ānquán, gōngrénmen bìxū dài hǎo ānquán mào.

For safety, workers must wear safety helmets properly.