戴

dài

異 + 𢦏

HSK 2.0Level 4

HSK 3.0Level 4

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 (異). The 𢦏 and 異 components both represent the sound.

About

The character 戴 (dài) is a phono-semantic compound. Its phonetic component is 𢦏 (zāi), which often relates to wounds or halberd actions due to the weapon radical 戈 (gē). Its semantic component is 異 (yì), meaning "different" or "unusual". Originally, the combination described the physical act of placing something on the head, like wearing a mask or headgear. Over time, while the literal meaning of wearing items such as hats or glasses remained primary, an abstract sense also emerged: to hold someone in high esteem or to offer support and respect to a leader.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他戴了一顶帽子。

Tā dài le yī dǐng màozi.

He is wearing a hat.

我每天戴眼镜。

Wǒ měitiān dài yǎnjìng.

I wear glasses every day.

她戴着手套做饭。

Tā dài zhe shǒutào zuò fàn.

She is cooking with gloves on.

现在出门要戴口罩。

Xiànzài chūmén yào dài kǒuzhào.

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

他戴了三年隐形眼镜。

Tā dài le sān nián yǐnxíng yǎnjìng.

He has worn contact lenses for three years.

我不喜欢戴沉重的项链。

Wǒ bù xǐhuan dài chénzhòng de xiàngliàn.

I do not like wearing heavy necklaces.

她戴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，工人们必须戴好安全帽。

Wèile ānquán, gōngrénmen bìxū dài hǎo ānquán mào.

For safety, workers must wear safety helmets properly.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 異

Component: 𢦏

戴