How Do You Ask for a Haircut in Korean? Essential Hair Salon Phrases
Beauty & Daily Life Series
How Do You Speak Korean at a Hair Salon? Essential Phrases
Learn practical Korean for booking appointments, requesting cuts and trims, showing reference photos, choosing perms or colors, and paying at the salon.
The first time I went to a hair salon in Korea, I thought showing a photo would be enough. It helped, but I still struggled when the stylist asked about length, bangs, and how much volume I wanted removed. Learning a few phrases like 다듬기만 해주세요 and 이 사진처럼 해주세요 made later appointments much less stressful.
Lesson Summary
- 미용실 means hair salon.
- 다듬기만 해주세요 means “Please just give me a trim.”
- 이 사진처럼 해주세요 means “Please make it like this photo.”
- 염색하고 싶어요 means “I would like to dye my hair.”
- 숱 좀 쳐주세요 asks the stylist to thin out the hair.
Quick Answer
For a haircut, say 머리 잘라 주세요. For only a trim, use 다듬기만 해주세요. To copy a reference photo, say 이 사진처럼 해주세요.
How Korean Hair Salon Language Works
Most salon requests use polite patterns such as ~해 주세요 for “please do,” ~하고 싶어요 for “I want to,” and ~가능한가요? for asking whether something is available or possible.
South Korea is renowned globally for its cutting-edge hair styling, trendsetting aesthetics, and top-tier salon treatments. Visiting a Korean beauty salon in trendy neighborhoods like Hongdae, Gangnam, or Cheongdam-dong is an unforgettable experience. However, sitting in the stylist's chair without knowing key Korean hair salon phrases can make even a simple trim feel nerve-wracking.
Whether you want a subtle trim, a trendy perm, or a bold new hair color, this guide gives you the exact phrases, vocabulary, and cultural tips you need to communicate your dream hairstyle with confidence.
What Korean hair salon vocabulary should beginners know?
Useful words include 미용실 for hair salon, 커트 for haircut, 염색 for hair coloring, 펌 for perm, 앞머리 for bangs, and 샴푸 for shampoo.
Start by learning these essential nouns and verbs before entering the salon:
| English Meaning | Hangul | Romanization | Pronunciation Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Salon | 미용실 / 헤어숍 | mi-yong-sil / he-eo-syop | Mee-yohng-sheel / Hae-eoh-syohp |
| Hair / Haircut | 머리 / 커트 | meo-ri / keo-teu | Meoh-ree / Keuh-teuh |
| Hair Designer / Stylist | 디자이너 선생님 | di-ja-i-neo seon-saeng-nim | Dee-jah-ee-neoh seohn-saeng-neem |
| Hair Dye / Coloring | 염색 | yeom-saek | Yeohm-saek |
| Perm | 파마 / 펌 | pa-ma / peom | Pah-mah / Peohm |
| Hair Treatment | 클리닉 / 트리트먼트 | keul-li-nik / teu-ri-teu-meon-teu | Keuhl-lee-neek / Teuh-ree-teuh-meohn-teuh |
| Bangs / Fringe | 앞머리 | am-meo-ri | Ahm-meoh-ree |
| Shampoo / Wash | 샴푸 | syam-pu | Shahm-poo |
How do you book or walk into a hair salon in Korean?
Say 예약했어요 if you already booked, 오늘 예약 가능한가요? to ask about a same-day reservation, or 예약 안 했는데, 지금 될까요? if you are walking in without an appointment.
Many popular Korean salons require advance reservations (예약). Use these polite expressions when making a reservation or walking in:
Key Phrases for Booking & Arrival:
• 예약했어요.
(Ye-yak-haess-eo-yo.)
→ "I made a reservation."
• 오늘 예약 가능한가요?
(O-neul ye-yak ga-neung-han-ga-yo?)
→ "Is a reservation available today?"
• 예약 안 했는데, 지금 될까요?
(Ye-yak an haess-neun-de, ji-geum doel-kka-yo?)
→ "I didn't make a reservation, can I get service now?"
• 얼마나 기다려야 해요?
(Eol-ma-na gi-da-ryeo-ya hae-yo?)
→ "How long do I need to wait?"
In Korea, most locals book salon appointments using Naver Booking (네이버 예약) or KakaoHairshop. Booking online often unlocks discounts of 10% to 30%!
How do you explain the hairstyle you want in Korean?
Use 머리 잘라 주세요 for a haircut, 다듬기만 해주세요 for a trim, 이 사진처럼 해주세요 to show a reference photo, and 염색하고 싶어요 to request hair coloring.
When you sit in the chair, your stylist will ask: "오늘 어떤 스타일 하실 건가요?" (What style would you like today?). Use these practical Korean hair salon phrases to clarify what you want:
• 머리 잘라 주세요.
(Meo-ri jal-ra ju-se-yo.)
→ "Please cut my hair."
• 다듬기만 해주세요.
(Da-deum-gi-man hae-ju-se-yo.)
→ "Please just give me a trim."
• 이 사진처럼 해주세요.
(I sa-jin-cheo-reom hae-ju-se-yo.)
→ "Please make it look like this picture."
• 어울리는 스타일로 추천해 주세요.
(Eo-ul-li-neun seu-ta-il-ro chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.)
→ "Please recommend a style that suits me."
• 염색하고 싶어요.
(Yeom-saek-ha-go sip-eo-yo.)
→ "I would like to dye my hair."
| Popular Style Term | Hangul | Meaning / Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Layered Cut | 레이어드 컷 | Feathered, volumetric layers |
| C-Curl Perm | C컬 펌 | Ends curled inward or outward like a 'C' |
| S-Curl Perm / Wave | S컬 펌 / 웨이브 | Natural wavy curls shaped like an 'S' |
| Down Perm | 다운펌 | Flattens puffy side hair (popular men's service) |
| See-Through Bangs | 시스루 뱅 | Wispy, subtle front bangs |
How do you explain length, bangs, or volume in Korean?
Use 2센티 정도만 잘라 주세요 to request about two centimeters off, 상한 부분만 잘라 주세요 for damaged ends only, and 숱 좀 쳐주세요 to ask the stylist to thin out your hair.
To ensure your cut matches your exact preferences, specify length adjustments using these precise phrases:
• 2센티 정도만 잘라 주세요.
(I-sen-ti jeong-do-man jal-ra ju-se-yo.)
→ "Please cut off only about 2 centimeters."
• 상한 부분만 잘라 주세요.
(Sang-han bu-bun-man jal-ra ju-se-yo.)
→ "Please cut off only the damaged ends."
• 숯 좀 쳐주세요.
(Sut jom chyeo-ju-se-yo.)
→ "Please thin out my hair / take out some weight."
• 앞머리는 눈썹 아래까지 잘라 주세요.
(Am-meo-ri-neun nun-sseob a-rae-kka-ji jal-ra ju-se-yo.)
→ "Please cut my bangs down to below my eyebrows."
What Korean phrases are useful during shampooing and payment?
You can ask for warmer or cooler water with 조금 더 따뜻하게 해주세요 or 조금 더 차갑게 해주세요, and ask the total cost with 전체 금액이 얼마인가요?
During shampooing and styling adjustments, the assistant or stylist will ask how you feel. Here is how to respond:
| Situation | Korean Expression | Romanization | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Temperature | 물 온도 괜찮으세요? | Mul on-do gwaen-chan-heu-se-yo? | Is the water temperature okay? |
| Adjustment | 조금 더 따뜻하게 / 차갑게 해주세요. | Jo-geum deo tta-tteut-ha-ge / cha-gap-ge hae-ju-se-yo. | Please make it a bit warmer / cooler. |
| Itchy Spot | 더 헹구고 싶은 곳 있으세요? | Deo heng-gu-go sip-eun got iss-eu-se-yo? | Is there any spot you want rinsed more? |
| Satisfaction | 마음에 들어요! 감사드립니다. | Ma-eum-e deul-eo-yo! Gam-sa-deu-rim-ni-da. | I love it! Thank you very much. |
Tipping is not customary in South Korea. The final bill at the register includes all labor and styling fees. Tipping salon staff or assistants is not expected.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not rely only on romanization; showing the Hangul phrase is clearer.
- Do not say “short” without specifying roughly how much length you want removed.
- Bring a reference photo when requesting a specific cut, perm, or color.
- Ask for the total price before starting if several services are being combined.
Real-World Korean Hair Salon Scenarios
- Walking in without a booking: 예약 안 했는데, 지금 될까요?
- Showing a hairstyle photo: 이 사진처럼 해주세요.
- Requesting only damaged ends: 상한 부분만 잘라 주세요.
- Asking the total price: 전체 금액이 얼마인가요?
Quick Knowledge Check
Choose the best phrase for each real-life salon situation.
Question 1: You have a photo on your phone of a hairstyle you want. What do you say to your stylist?
A) 얼만가요? (Eol-man-ga-yo?)
B) 이 사진처럼 해주세요 (I sa-jin-cheo-reom hae-ju-se-yo)
C) 샴푸해 주세요 (Syam-pu hae-ju-se-yo)
Question 2: What does "다듬기만 해주세요" mean?
A) Please dye my hair red.
B) Please just give me a trim.
C) Please give me a full perm.
Question 3: You want the stylist to thin out your thick hair to lessen the weight. What phrase do you use?
A) 숯 좀 쳐주세요 (Sut jom chyeo-ju-se-yo)
B) 파마해 주세요 (Pa-ma hae-ju-se-yo)
C) 예약했어요 (Ye-yak-haess-eo-yo)
Question 4: How do you tell your stylist "I love it! Thank you!" when they finish styling your hair?
A) 물이 너무 차가워요 (Mul-i neo-mu cha-ga-wo-yo)
B) 마음에 들어요! 감사드립니다 (Ma-eum-e deul-eo-yo! Gam-sa-deu-rim-ni-da)
C) 얼마나 기다려야 해요? (Eol-ma-na gi-da-ryeo-ya hae-yo?)
Show Answers
Answers & Explanations:
1. B) 이 사진처럼 해주세요 — "이 사진" (this photo) + "처럼" (like) + "해주세요" (please do/make).
2. B) Please just give me a trim. — "다듬기만" means trimming only.
3. A) 숯 좀 쳐주세요 — Standard idiom for thinning out hair weight.
4. B) 마음에 들어요! 감사드립니다 — "마음에 들어요" literally means "It enters my heart" (I like/love it).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Korean hair stylists speak English?
In major tourist areas like Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Gangnam, many salon stylists speak conversational English. However, showing photos alongside basic Korean hair salon phrases ensures complete clarity.
How do I ask "How much will this cost?" before starting?
You can ask: "전체 금액이 얼마인가요?" (Jeon-che geum-aek-i eol-ma-in-ga-yo?), which means "What is the total cost?"
What is a "Down Perm" (다운펌) in Korea?
A Down Perm is a specialized chemical treatment popular among Korean men that flattens coarse, side-growing hair so it sits sleekly against the head.
Should I tip my hair stylist in South Korea?
No, tipping is not practiced in South Korea. The price listed on your bill or quote is the final amount you pay at checkout.
How do I ask for a hair treatment for damaged hair?
Say: "머릿결이 많이 상해서 클리닉 받고 싶어요" (Meo-rit-gyeol-i man-i sang-hae-seo keul-li-nik bat-go sip-eo-yo), which means "My hair is damaged, so I want a clinic treatment."
Conclusion
Visiting a Korean salon is an amazing way to experience local beauty culture and upgrade your look. Armed with these essential Korean hair salon phrases, you can easily show reference photos (이 사진처럼 해주세요), request trims (다듬기만 해주세요), and communicate effortlessly with your stylist. Enjoy your pampering session and your stylish new look!
