戴
dài · HSK 4
wear
👒 dài sounds like 'die' — but you wear a hat, not a wreath
戴 (dài) is the verb for wearing accessories: hats, glasses, watches, jewelry — things you put ON, not clothes you put IN. Distinct from 穿 (chuān) which covers shirts, pants, shoes.
戴 — 異 (different) on top + 𢦏 (phonetic) wrapping
戴 originally depicted placing something on the head, hence its core meaning 'to wear (on the head), to carry on top.' The element 異 contributes the sense of holding up or bearing, while 𢦏 (zāi) provides the phonetic clue. Over time it broadened to mean 'support, respect, bear (a name or title).'