
Explaining Your Desired Hairstyle at a Korean Salon
Visiting a hair salon in Korea can be exciting, but effectively communicating the exact hairstyle you want is crucial for a satisfying experience. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases to help you describe your desired look to the hairstylist, covering everything from basic cuts and lengths to specific styles, colors, and treatments. Use these expressions to confidently articulate your preferences at your next salon appointment.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the most fundamental phrase, often used while showing a reference picture.
- Expression: 이렇게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: ireoke haejuseyo.
Meaning: Please do it like this.
Basic Haircut Terms
Understanding these basic terms is the first step to describing your desired cut.
- Expression: 머리 자르다
Pronunciation: meori jareuda
Meaning: To cut hair - Expression: 다듬다
Pronunciation: dadeumda
Meaning: To trim - Expression: 층을 내다
Pronunciation: cheung-eul naeda
Meaning: To add layers / To layer the hair - Expression: 앞머리
Pronunciation: ammeori
Meaning: Bangs / Fringe - Expression: 숱을 치다
Pronunciation: sut-eul chida
Meaning: To thin out hair - Expression: 머리 감다
Pronunciation: meori gamda
Meaning: To wash hair - Expression: 드라이하다
Pronunciation: deuraihada
Meaning: To blow-dry hair - Expression: 헤어 스타일
Pronunciation: he-eo seutail
Meaning: Hairstyle - Expression: 커트
Pronunciation: keoteu
Meaning: Cut (loanword) - Expression: 단발머리
Pronunciation: danbalmeori
Meaning: Bob cut / Short hair (usually chin-length) - Expression: 긴 머리
Pronunciation: gin meori
Meaning: Long hair - Expression: 짧은 머리
Pronunciation: jjalbeun meori
Meaning: Short hair
Describing Length and Style
Specify how long or short you want your hair and the overall style.
- Expression: 조금만 잘라주세요.
Pronunciation: jogeumman jallajuseyo.
Meaning: Please cut just a little bit. - Expression: _ 센티미터 정도 잘라주세요.
Pronunciation: _ sentimiteo jeongdo jallajuseyo.
Meaning: Please cut about _ centimeters. - Expression: 어깨 길이로 잘라주세요.
Pronunciation: eokkae giriro jallajuseyo.
Meaning: Please cut it to shoulder length. - Expression: 턱 선에 맞춰서 잘라주세요.
Pronunciation: teok seone matchwoseo jallajuseyo.
Meaning: Please cut it to my jawline. - Expression: 길이는 유지하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: girineun yujihago sipeoyo.
Meaning: I want to keep the length. - Expression: 앞머리는 눈썹 위로 잘라주세요.
Pronunciation: ammeorineun nunsseop wiro jallajuseyo.
Meaning: Please cut the bangs above my eyebrows. - Expression: 앞머리는 옆으로 넘길 수 있게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: ammeorineun yeopeuro neomgil su itge haejuseyo.
Meaning: Please cut the bangs so I can sweep them to the side. - Expression: 자연스러운 스타일로 해주세요.
Pronunciation: jayeonseureoun seutail-lo haejuseyo.
Meaning: Please make it a natural style. - Expression: 웨이브를 넣어주세요.
Pronunciation: weibeureul neoeojuseyo.
Meaning: Please add waves. - Expression: 끝만 살짝 다듬어 주세요.
Pronunciation: kkeutman saljjak dadeumeo juseyo.
Meaning: Please just trim the ends slightly. - Expression: 머리숱은 그대로 두세요.
Pronunciation: meorisut-eun geudaero duseyo.
Meaning: Please leave the hair volume as it is. - Expression: 레이어드 컷으로 해주세요.
Pronunciation: reieodeu keot-euro haejuseyo.
Meaning: Please give me a layered cut.
Color and Perm Requests
Use these phrases when requesting hair coloring or perms.
- Expression: 염색하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: yeomsaekhago sipeoyo.
Meaning: I want to dye my hair. - Expression: 이 색깔로 염색해 주세요.
Pronunciation: i saekkkal-lo yeomsaekhae juseyo.
Meaning: Please dye my hair this color. (Show picture/sample) - Expression: 뿌리 염색만 해주세요.
Pronunciation: ppuri yeomsaengman haejuseyo.
Meaning: Please just dye the roots. (Root touch-up) - Expression: 탈색해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: talsaekhaeya hanayo?
Meaning: Do I need to bleach my hair? - Expression: 하이라이트를 넣고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: haillaiteureul neoko sipeoyo.
Meaning: I want to get highlights. - Expression: 파마하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: pamahago sipeoyo.
Meaning: I want to get a perm. - Expression: 자연스러운 웨이브 파마로 해주세요.
Pronunciation: jayeonseureoun weibeupama-ro haejuseyo.
Meaning: Please give me a natural wave perm. - Expression: 볼륨 매직을 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: bollyum maejig-eul hago sipeoyo.
Meaning: I want to get a volume magic straight perm. (Straightens but adds root volume) - Expression: 디지털 파마로 해주세요.
Pronunciation: dijiteol pama-ro haejuseyo.
Meaning: Please give me a digital perm. - Expression: 머릿결이 많이 상하지 않게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: meoritgyeori mani sanghaji anke haejuseyo.
Meaning: Please do it so my hair doesn’t get too damaged. - Expression: 파마가 잘 나올까요?
Pronunciation: pamaga jal naolkkayo?
Meaning: Will the perm turn out well? - Expression: 염색 알레르기가 있어요.
Pronunciation: yeomsaek allereugiga isseoyo.
Meaning: I have an allergy to hair dye.
Additional Requests and Concerns
Communicate specific needs or ask questions during the consultation.
- Expression: 머리숱이 적어서 고민이에요.
Pronunciation: meorisut-i jeogeoseo gominieyo.
Meaning: I’m concerned because my hair is thin. - Expression: 볼륨을 좀 더 살려주세요.
Pronunciation: bollyum-eul jom deo sallyeojuseyo.
Meaning: Please add a bit more volume. - Expression: 머리가 너무 부스스해요.
Pronunciation: meoriga neomu buseuseuhaeyo.
Meaning: My hair is too frizzy. - Expression: 두피 케어도 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: dupi keeodo badeul su innayo?
Meaning: Can I also get a scalp treatment? - Expression: 헤어 에센스를 추천해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: he-eo esenseureul chucheonhae jusigesseoyo?
Meaning: Could you recommend a hair essence? - Expression: 집에서 관리하기 쉬운 스타일로 해주세요.
Pronunciation: jibeseo gwalliha-gi swiun seutail-lo haejuseyo.
Meaning: Please give me a style that’s easy to manage at home. - Expression: 이 스타일은 저한테 어울릴까요?
Pronunciation: i seutail-eun jeohante eoullilkkayo?
Meaning: Do you think this style will suit me? - Expression: 시간이 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: sigani eolmana geollilkkayo?
Meaning: How long will it take? - Expression: 가격이 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: gagyeog-i eolmayeyo?
Meaning: How much does it cost? - Expression: 드라이는 어떻게 하는 게 좋아요?
Pronunciation: deuraineun eotteoke haneun ge joayo?
Meaning: How should I blow-dry it? - Expression: 옆머리는 귀 뒤로 넘길 수 있게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: yeommeorineun gwi dwiro neomgil su itge haejuseyo.
Meaning: Please cut the sides so I can tuck them behind my ears. - Expression: 뒷머리는 자연스럽게 연결해 주세요.
Pronunciation: dwinmeorineun jayeonseureopge yeongyeolhae juseyo.
Meaning: Please blend the back naturally.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these cultural points can enhance your salon experience.
- Showing Photos is Key: Bringing reference photos (from your phone or magazines) is extremely common and highly recommended. It’s often the primary way Koreans communicate their desired style. Use the phrase “이 사진처럼 해주세요” (i sajincheoreom haejuseyo – Please do it like this picture).
- Detailed Consultations: Korean hairstylists often provide thorough consultations. They might ask about your hair type, concerns, lifestyle, and styling habits to recommend the best look. Don’t be surprised if they offer suggestions.
- Trusting the Stylist: While explaining your preference is important, there’s also a culture of trusting the stylist’s expertise (“디자이너 선생님” – dijaineo seonsaengnim). They often suggest styles that suit your face shape and hair condition.
- Service Culture: Korean salons are known for excellent service. Expect complimentary drinks (coffee, tea, juice) and sometimes snacks. Staff are generally very attentive.
- Specific Perm Names: Korea has various popular perm types (Digital Perm, Setting Perm, Volume Magic, etc.). If you know the specific name of the perm you want, use it. If not, describing the desired curl/wave type (굵은 웨이브 – gulgeun weibu – thick waves, 자연스러운 컬 – jayeonseureoun keol – natural curls) is helpful.
Real Conversation Example
This example shows how to use the phrases in a typical salon consultation.
- Situation: A customer (A) wants a haircut and discusses the style with the hairstylist (B).
-
Roles:
- A: Customer
- B: Hairstylist (디자이너 – Designer)
-
Expression: B: 어서 오세요. 어떻게 해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: eoseo oseyo. eotteoke hae deurilkkayo?
Meaning: Welcome. How would you like your hair done? - Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 커트하고 싶은데요. 이 사진처럼 좀 잘라주세요.
Pronunciation: annyeonghaseyo. keoteuhago sipeundeyo. i sajincheoreom jom jallajuseyo.
Meaning: Hello. I’d like a haircut. Please cut it somewhat like this picture. (Shows photo) - Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 레이어드 컷이네요. 길이는 어느 정도로 생각하세요?
Pronunciation: ne, algesseumnida. reieodeu keosineyo. girineun eoneu jeongdoro saenggakaseyo?
Meaning: Okay, I see. It’s a layered cut. What length are you thinking of? - Expression: A: 길이는 한 5센티미터 정도 자르고, 어깨 조금 넘는 길이로 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: girineun han o sentimiteo jeongdo jareugo, eokkae jogeum neomneun giriro hago sipeoyo.
Meaning: I want to cut about 5 centimeters, and have it just past my shoulders. - Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 앞머리는 어떻게 할까요? 지금처럼 유지할까요?
Pronunciation: algesseumnida. ammeorineun eotteoke halkkayo? jigeumcheoreom yujihalkkayo?
Meaning: Understood. What about the bangs? Should we keep them as they are? - Expression: A: 아뇨, 앞머리는 옆으로 넘길 수 있게 자연스럽게 다듬어 주세요. 그리고 숱은 너무 많이 치지 말아 주세요.
Pronunciation: anyo, ammeorineun yeopeuro neomgil su itge jayeonseureopge dadeumeo juseyo. geurigo sut-eun neomu mani chiji mara juseyo.
Meaning: No, please trim the bangs naturally so I can sweep them to the side. And please don’t thin out the hair too much. - Expression: B: 네, 그럼 길이는 어깨 살짝 넘게 자르고, 자연스러운 레이어드 컷에 옆으로 넘기는 앞머리로 해 드릴게요. 숱은 끝에만 살짝 정리하고요.
Pronunciation: ne, geureom girineun eokkae saljjak neomge jareugo, jayeonseureoun reieodeu keos-e yeopeuro neomgineun ammeoriro hae deurilgeyo. sut-eun kkeuteman saljjak jeongnihagoyo.
Meaning: Okay, so I’ll cut the length to slightly past the shoulders, with a natural layered cut and side-swept bangs. I’ll just lightly thin out the ends. - Expression: A: 네, 좋아요! 그렇게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, joayo! geureoke haejuseyo.
Meaning: Yes, that sounds good! Please do it like that.
Practice Tips
Getting the perfect haircut starts with clear communication! Try practicing these phrases out loud~ Visual aids are your best friend, so always have a few inspiration photos ready on your phone! Don’t hesitate to use simple sentences and point if needed. You can also role-play with a friend or language partner before your actual appointment. Most importantly, relax and enjoy the pampering experience at the Korean salon! 화이팅! (Fighting!)