Name translation
David in Chinese
David is usually written 戴维 in Chinese, pronounced Dài wéi. 大卫 is also common, especially in biblical contexts and some media names such as 大卫·贝克汉姆. Both are phonetic; neither translates David’s Hebrew meaning, “beloved”.
戴维
Dài wéi
Recorded in CC-CEDICT
Also written: 大卫
Dài is fourth tone (sharp and falling) and wéi is second tone (rising). A rough English approximation is "dye way", with a falling first syllable and a rising second.
Sources: CC-CEDICT (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikidata (CC0) · Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
How this translation works
戴维 is a phonetic transliteration: 戴 and 维 were chosen for their sounds, dài and wéi, not for their meanings. Read literally, 戴 can mean "to wear" or "to support" and 维 "to maintain", but neither describes David, which comes from a Hebrew word usually understood as "beloved".
This is the form used in mainland media for modern public figures — for example David Cameron appears as 戴维·卡梅伦. Wikidata records 戴维 as the Chinese label for the name, and this site extracts the pinyin from that entry, so the pronunciation is worth checking rather than assuming.
A second written form, 大卫 (Dà wèi), is very common in biblical contexts (大卫王 for King David) and in some media names, such as 大卫·贝克汉姆 for David Beckham. Both forms represent the same English name; which one you meet depends on the source and the context.
大卫 Dà wèi
Common in biblical references and in some mainland media names. The first character is 大 ("big") rather than 戴, so the written form looks quite different even though the sound is close.
Related names
David is related to Dave and Davy. Dave normally becomes 戴夫 (Dài fū), not 戴维. Davy is a separate diminutive and is sometimes also written 戴维, but the two names are not interchangeable in every context.
When to use this form
戴维 translates the name of a real person called David — in Chinese news, subtitles or introductions. If instead you want a new Chinese name chosen for its meaning, use the Chinese name generator.
Translate another name on the homepage translator, or create a new personal Chinese name.
David in Chinese: FAQ
How do you write David in Chinese?
David is most often written 戴维 in mainland Chinese media, pronounced Dài wéi. Wikidata records 戴维 as the Chinese label for the name, and you will also meet 大卫 in biblical and some media contexts.
Should I use 戴维 or 大卫 for David?
Both are in real use. 戴维 is common for modern public figures, such as 戴维·卡梅伦 (David Cameron). 大卫 is standard in biblical references and appears in names such as 大卫·贝克汉姆. If you are writing about a specific person, follow the form used in that person's Chinese coverage.
What does 戴维 mean?
Strictly, nothing — it is phonetic. 戴 and 维 were chosen for their sounds, not their meanings. David comes from a Hebrew word understood as "beloved", but that meaning is not carried by the Chinese characters.
How do you pronounce 戴维?
Dài wéi — fourth tone then second tone, roughly "dye way". The first syllable falls sharply; the second rises. Use the hear-it button on this page to listen.