携带

• Pinyin: xié dài
• Hanzi breakdown: 携 = 扌+ 隽 (hand + to carry); 带 = 巾 (cloth/belt — to bring along)

Meaning

To carry; to bring along; to take with one. Refers to physically bearing or transporting something.

Used in formal and official contexts, especially in regulations about prohibited items. Also used for carrying viruses, data, or other abstract loads. More formal than 带.

Examples

1. 乘客登机时禁止携带超过规定容量的液体物品。 Passengers are not allowed to bring liquids exceeding the permitted volume when boarding.
2. 这种昆虫可能携带多种对人体有害的病原体。 This insect may carry multiple pathogens harmful to humans.
3. 他出差时随身携带了一台轻便的笔记本电脑。 When he traveled for business, he carried a lightweight laptop with him.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, regulations, health, business

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 进入实验室时，请勿携带任何食品或饮料。(When entering the laboratory, please do not bring any food or beverages.)
• 该病毒可通过携带病菌的飞沫传播。(The virus can spread through droplets carrying the pathogen.)

Don't Say

• 我携带了他来派对 — use 带他来 for bringing a person; 携带 is for items, not people

Origin & History

携 (to carry/lead by hand) + 带 (to bring/carry) — together meaning to carry or bring something along

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal