dài: 带 - To Bring, Take, Carry; Belt, Band, Zone

• Keywords: 带 pinyin, 带 meaning, dai Chinese meaning, Chinese word for bring, Chinese word for take, how to use 带 in Chinese, 带 vs 拿, to carry in Chinese, to lead in Chinese, Chinese grammar 带
• Summary: Discover the versatile Chinese word 带 (dài), a fundamental term for any learner. While its core meaning is “to bring” or “to take,” 带 uniquely implies bringing something or someone *along with you* on a journey. This page will break down its various uses, from carrying an umbrella (带伞) and leading a team (带队) to its noun form as a “belt” (皮带) or “zone” (热带). Master 带 to make your spoken Chinese sound more natural and precise.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dài
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: To bring, take, or carry something with you; also, a belt, band, or zone.
• In a Nutshell: 带 (dài) is one of the most common verbs in Mandarin. Think of it as “to have something with you while you move.” Whether you're bringing your keys, taking a friend to a movie, or even leading the way, 带 is the word you need. It suggests that the object or person is an accompaniment to your main action of going somewhere. This simple concept also extends to its noun meaning, a “belt” or “sash”—something worn and carried with you.

• 带 (dài): This is a single-character word. It's a pictogram that originally depicted a sash or belt (the top part representing the cloth) with decorative items hanging down from it (the bottom part). This imagery perfectly captures its dual meaning: the noun “belt” and the verb “to carry something attached to you,” as if hanging from your belt. When you 带 something, you are metaphorically tying it to yourself for a journey.

While 带 (dài) is a functional word, its usage highlights a subtle conceptual difference between Chinese and English. English separates “bring” (movement toward the speaker) and “take” (movement away from the speaker). 带 (dài) ignores this distinction and instead focuses on the relationship between the carrier and the object: the object accompanies the carrier. This is best contrasted with the Western concept of “carrying.” When you 带 something, like a wallet (`带钱包`), it’s not just about the physical act of transport; it’s about having it with you as part of your preparedness for a journey. This extends socially as well. The phrase `带朋友来` (bring a friend over) feels very natural and inclusive, reflecting a communal culture where bringing others along is a common and welcome act. It implies the friend is an accompaniment to you, the primary guest. This contrasts with `拿 (ná)` (to pick up with your hand), which is a purely physical action devoid of any journey or accompaniment.

This is the primary use of 带. It means to take something or someone with you from point A to point B. It's used constantly in daily life.

• `出门别忘了带钥匙。` (Chūmén bié wàngle dài yàoshi.) - Don't forget to bring your keys when you go out.
• `我明天会带我女朋友去看电影。` (Wǒ míngtiān huì dài wǒ nǚpéngyou qù kàn diànyǐng.) - I will take my girlfriend to see a movie tomorrow.

An extension of “bringing someone along,” 带 can mean to lead or guide.

• `老师带着学生们参观了博物馆。` (Lǎoshī dàizhe xuéshēngmen cānguānle bówùguǎn.) - The teacher led the students on a tour of the museum.
• `你能给我带个路吗？` (Nǐ néng gěi wǒ dài ge lù ma?) - Can you lead the way for me?

In a more abstract sense, 带 can mean that something has an associated quality, often subtle.

• `他的话里带着一丝讽刺。` (Tā de huà lǐ dàizhe yīsī fěngcì.) - His words carried a trace of sarcasm.
• `这道菜带点儿甜味。` (Zhè dào cài dàidiǎnr tiánwèi.) - This dish is a little bit sweet (lit: carries a bit of sweet flavor).

带 is also a noun, referring to long, thin, band-like objects.

• `我需要一条新皮带。` (Wǒ xūyào yītiáo xīn pídài.) - I need a new leather belt.
• `请系好安全带。` (Qǐng jì hǎo ānquándài.) - Please fasten your seatbelt.
• `录音带` (lùyīndài) - Cassette tape
• `热带` (rèdài) - The tropics (the hot zone/belt)

• Example 1:
  • 明天可能会下雨，你最好带把伞。
  • Pinyin: Míngtiān kěnéng huì xià yǔ, nǐ zuìhǎo dài bǎ sǎn.
  • English: It might rain tomorrow, you'd better bring an umbrella.
  • Analysis: This is the classic usage. The umbrella accompanies you on your trip out, just in case.
• Example 2:
  • 他每次来我家都带礼物。
  • Pinyin: Tā měi cì lái wǒjiā dōu dài lǐwù.
  • English: Every time he comes to my house, he brings a gift.
  • Analysis: The gift is brought along with him on his journey to the speaker's house.
• Example 3:
  • 我可以带我的狗去公园吗？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ kěyǐ dài wǒ de gǒu qù gōngyuán ma?
  • English: Can I take my dog to the park?
  • Analysis: Here, 带 is used for taking a living being somewhere. The dog accompanies the owner.
• Example 4:
  • 这位导游带我们游览了故宫。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi dǎoyóu dài wǒmen yóulǎnle Gùgōng.
  • English: This tour guide led us on a tour of the Forbidden City.
  • Analysis: This shows the “to lead” meaning. The guide brings the group along with them.
• Example 5:
  • 他脸上总是带着微笑。
  • Pinyin: Tā liǎn shàng zǒngshì dàizhe wéixiào.
  • English: He always has a smile on his face (lit: His face always carries a smile).
  • Analysis: This is the abstract usage, where a feature (a smile) “accompanies” his face. The particle `着 (zhe)` indicates a continuous state.
• Example 6:
  • 我忘了带现金，可以用手机支付吗？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ wàngle dài xiànjīn, kěyǐ yòng shǒujī zhīfù ma?
  • English: I forgot to bring cash, can I pay with my phone?
  • Analysis: A very practical, common sentence. Forgetting to bring something is a frequent use case for 带.
• Example 7:
  • 你做的菜里带了点儿辣味，很好吃！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zuò de cài lǐ dàile diǎnr làwèi, hěn hǎochī!
  • English: The dish you made has a little bit of spiciness, it's delicious!
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the “contain a quality” meaning. The spiciness is a feature that comes along with the dish.
• Example 8:
  • 上车后，第一件事就是系好安全带。
  • Pinyin: Shàng chē hòu, dì yī jiàn shì jiùshì jì hǎo ānquándài.
  • English: After getting in the car, the first thing is to fasten your seatbelt.
  • Analysis: This is the noun usage, showing 带 as part of a compound word for “seatbelt” (safety-belt).
• Example 9:
  • “一带一路”是中国一个重要的发展战略。
  • Pinyin: “Yī dài yī lù” shì Zhōngguó yīgè zhòngyào de fāzhǎn zhànlüè.
  • English: The “Belt and Road” is an important development strategy for China.
  • Analysis: A culturally and geopolitically significant term where 带 refers to the “Economic Belt” (丝绸之路经济带).
• Example 10:
  • 这份工作带给我很多挑战，也带给我很多机会。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn gōngzuò dài gěi wǒ hěnduō tiǎozhàn, yě dài gěi wǒ hěnduō jīhuì.
  • English: This job brings me many challenges, and it also brings me many opportunities.
  • Analysis: Shows a figurative use of “bring.” The job is the source that brings these abstract concepts (challenges, opportunities) to the speaker.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 带 (dài) with 拿 (ná).

• 带 (dài): To bring/take something with you on a journey. It implies movement from one place to another. The object accompanies you.
  • Correct: 我去超市，会带一个购物袋。(Wǒ qù chāoshì, huì dài yīgè gòuwù dài.) - When I go to the supermarket, I'll bring a shopping bag. (You are taking the bag *with you* to the market).
• 拿 (ná): To pick up, hold, or get something, usually with your hand. It focuses on the physical action of grabbing and doesn't necessarily imply a journey.
  • Correct: 你能帮我拿一下那本书吗？ (Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ná yīxià nà běn shū ma?) - Can you help me get that book? (The action is just picking it up, perhaps from a high shelf).

Common Mistake Example:

• Incorrect: `他在桌子上带了一支笔。` (Tā zài zhuōzi shàng dàile yī zhī bǐ.)
• Why it's wrong: This sentence implies he took a journey while on top of the table with a pen, which is nonsensical. The action is simply picking up a pen that is on the table.
• Correct: `他从桌子上拿了一支笔。` (Tā cóng zhuōzi shàng nále yī zhī bǐ.) - He took/grabbed a pen from the table.

带 (dài) vs. 取 (qǔ):

• 取 (qǔ) means “to fetch” or “retrieve,” often from a specific place where it is being held for you.
• Use 取 for getting money from an ATM (`取钱`), picking up a package (`取包裹`), or collecting tickets (`取票`).
• Use 带 when you already have something and are taking it elsewhere. You `带钱` (bring cash) *from* your home, but you `取钱` (withdraw cash) *from* the bank.

• 拿 (ná) - To hold, take, or get with the hand. The most common verb to confuse with 带. Focuses on the hand action, not the journey.
• 取 (qǔ) - To fetch or retrieve. Used for picking up things from a designated location like a bank or post office.
• 送 (sòng) - To deliver, to give as a gift, or to see someone off. The focus is on the recipient or destination.
• 携带 (xiédài) - A formal, written word for “to carry with one.” You might see it on signs (e.g., `禁止携带宠物` - No pets allowed).
• 带领 (dàilǐng) - To lead or guide, usually a group or team. More formal than just 带.
• 皮带 (pídài) - A leather belt. A direct noun usage.
• 安全带 (ānquándài) - A seatbelt. A compound noun for a specific type of “belt.”
• 热带 (rèdài) - The tropics (lit. “hot belt/zone”). An abstract noun referring to a geographical region.
• 磁带 (cídài) - Magnetic tape (e.g., cassette tape). An older but still useful compound noun.