to wear (accessories)
HSK level
戴 is written with 17 strokes. The animation replays automatically.
戴 (dài) is a verb meaning 'to wear' or 'to put on,' but only for accessories and items worn on the extremities — glasses, hats, jewelry, watches, gloves, scarves, masks, contact lenses.
This is the key point for English speakers: Chinese splits the single English verb 'wear' into 戴 (for accessories and things attached to the head, hands, or face) and 穿 (chuān, for clothing and shoes that you put your body 'into'). You 戴帽子 (wear a hat) and 戴眼镜 (wear glasses) but 穿衣服 (wear clothes) and 穿鞋 (wear shoes). Using the wrong one is a classic learner mistake.
戴 is neutral in register and covers both the ongoing state ('to have on') and the action of putting the item on. It also appears in the formal compound 爱戴 (àidài, 'to hold in high esteem'), where it carries the older sense of 'to bear/support with respect.'
天冷了，戴上帽子吧。
Tiān lěng le, dài shàng màozi ba.
It's cold — put on a hat.
spoken
他戴着一副黑色的眼镜。
Tā dài zhe yí fù hēisè de yǎnjìng.
He's wearing a pair of black glasses.
neutral
进医院请戴口罩。
Jìn yīyuàn qǐng dài kǒuzhào.
Please wear a mask when entering the hospital.
written
她今天戴了一条漂亮的项链。
Tā jīntiān dài le yì tiáo piàoliang de xiàngliàn.
She's wearing a pretty necklace today.
spoken
穿 is 'to wear' for clothing and shoes — things your body goes into. 戴 is for accessories worn on the head, face, hands, or neck. 穿衬衫 (wear a shirt) vs 戴项链 (wear a necklace).
佩戴 is the formal/written equivalent, used on signs and in official contexts (请佩戴口罩, 'please wear a mask'). 戴 is the everyday spoken word.
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