戴帽子。

You can use it as a command or a description. If you see your friend going out into the sun, say 戴帽子. If you are looking for your own cap, say 我要戴帽子. You can add adjectives before 帽子 to be specific. For example, 戴红色的帽子 means wearing a red hat. It is very flexible and follows standard SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) patterns.

Use it in everyday conversations about the weather or fashion. It is perfect for reminding kids to stay warm in winter. Use it when describing what someone looks like to a friend. It is also common in retail settings when trying on accessories. If you are texting a photo of your new outfit, this is your go-to phrase. It is practical, clear, and impossible to misunderstand.

Do not use 戴 for shirts, pants, or shoes. For those, you need the verb 穿. Using 穿帽子 will make people giggle because it sounds like you are stepping into your hat. Also, be careful with the slang version of this phrase. In political or social contexts, 'giving someone a hat' means labeling them unfairly. Stick to the literal meaning unless you are discussing history or office politics. Avoid it if the person is wearing a headscarf for religious reasons, as other terms might be more respectful.

Hats have a long history in China as symbols of status. In ancient times, the 'Guan' (crown/hat) showed your social rank. Today, the most famous (and dangerous) hat-related phrase is 绿帽子 (green hat). Never tell a man he is wearing a green hat! It means his partner is cheating on him. Aside from that, hats are popular fashion statements in modern Chinese street style. You will see many young people in cities like Shanghai wearing 'bucket hats' or 'snapbacks'.

You will often hear 戴上帽子, where 上 emphasizes the completion of the action. If someone is already wearing it, you say 戴着帽子. To take it off, you change the verb to 摘 (zhāi). So, 摘帽子 means to take the hat off. You might also hear 小帽子 for a cute cap. Keep these variations in your pocket to sound more like a local!