
How to Discuss Hairstyles in Korean
Visiting a hair salon in Korea can be an exciting experience, but effectively communicating the hairstyle you want requires specific vocabulary. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for discussing hairstyles, from basic consultation requests to describing detailed preferences and asking relevant questions, ensuring you can confidently navigate your next salon visit.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 헤어 스타일 상담하기
Pronunciation: he-eo seu-ta-il sang-dam-ha-gi
Meaning: Consulting about hairstyle (lit. Hairstyle consultation doing)
Basic Consultation Phrases
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Expression: 헤어 스타일 상담 좀 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: he-eo seu-ta-il sang-dam jom bat-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to have a hairstyle consultation. -
Expression: 어떤 스타일이 저한테 어울릴까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon seu-ta-il-i jeo-han-te eo-ul-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: What style would suit me? -
Expression: 머리 스타일을 바꾸고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: meo-ri seu-ta-il-eul ba-kku-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to change my hairstyle. -
Expression: 예약하고 왔어요.
Pronunciation: ye-yak-ha-go wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: I came here with a reservation. -
Expression: 추천해 주실 만한 스타일 있으세요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-sil man-han seu-ta-il iss-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any styles you would recommend? -
Expression: 그냥 다듬어 주세요.
Pronunciation: geu-nyang da-deum-eo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please just trim it. -
Expression: 커트하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: keo-teu-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want a cut. -
Expression: 파마하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: pa-ma-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want a perm. -
Expression: 염색하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: yeom-saek-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to dye my hair. -
Expression: 시간이 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: si-gan-i eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: How long will it take? -
Expression: 담당 디자이너 분 계신가요?
Pronunciation: dam-dang di-ja-i-neo bun gye-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the designated designer available?
Describing Your Desired Style
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Expression: 이 사진처럼 해주세요.
Pronunciation: i sa-jin-cheo-reom hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make it like this picture. -
Expression: 길이는 이 정도로 잘라주세요.
Pronunciation: gil-i-neun i jeong-do-ro jal-la-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please cut the length to about this much. (Use gestures) -
Expression: 앞머리 만들어 주세요.
Pronunciation: ap-meo-ri man-deul-eo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me bangs. -
Expression: 층을 많이 내주세요.
Pronunciation: cheung-eul man-i nae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please add a lot of layers. -
Expression: 자연스러운 웨이브로 해주세요.
Pronunciation: ja-yeon-seu-reo-un we-i-beu-ro hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me natural waves. (For perms) -
Expression: 머리 끝만 살짝 다듬어 주세요.
Pronunciation: meo-ri kkeut-man sal-jjak da-deum-eo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please just trim the ends slightly. -
Expression: 너무 짧지 않게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu jjalp-ji an-ke hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please don’t make it too short. -
Expression: 밝은 갈색으로 염색하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: bal-geun gal-saek-eu-ro yeom-saek-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to dye it light brown. -
Expression: 볼륨을 좀 살려주세요.
Pronunciation: bol-lyum-eul jom sal-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please add some volume. -
Expression: 머릿결이 상하지 않게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: meo-rit-gyeol-i sang-ha-ji an-ke hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please do it so my hair doesn’t get damaged. -
Expression: 지금 머리 색깔이랑 비슷하게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: ji-geum meo-ri saek-kkal-i-rang bi-seut-ha-ge hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make it similar to my current hair color.
Asking Questions and Expressing Concerns
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Expression: 이 스타일은 관리하기 쉬운가요?
Pronunciation: i seu-ta-il-eun gwan-li-ha-gi swi-un-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this style easy to manage? -
Expression: 제 얼굴형에 어울릴까요?
Pronunciation: je eol-gul-hyeong-e eo-ul-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will it suit my face shape? -
Expression: 비용은 얼마 정도 나올까요?
Pronunciation: bi-yong-eun eol-ma jeong-do na-ol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Approximately how much will the cost be? -
Expression: 파마하면 머릿결이 많이 상할까요?
Pronunciation: pa-ma-ha-myeon meo-rit-gyeol-i man-i sang-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will my hair get damaged a lot if I get a perm? -
Expression: 염색약이 순한 편인가요?
Pronunciation: yeom-saek-yak-i sun-han pyeon-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the hair dye relatively mild? -
Expression: 혹시 다른 추천 스타일도 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun chu-cheon seu-ta-il-do it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there perhaps any other recommended styles? -
Expression: 집에서 어떻게 관리해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: jib-e-seo eo-tteo-ke gwan-li-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should I manage it at home? -
Expression: 이 색깔이 저한테 너무 밝지 않을까요?
Pronunciation: i saek-kkal-i jeo-han-te neo-mu balk-ji an-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Won’t this color be too bright for me? -
Expression: 시술 전에 상담 먼저 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: si-sul jeon-e sang-dam meon-jeo ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to have a consultation before the procedure? -
Expression: 두피가 좀 민감한 편이에요.
Pronunciation: du-pi-ga jom min-gam-han pyeon-i-e-yo.
Meaning: My scalp is a bit sensitive. -
Expression: 어떤 제품을 쓰는 게 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon je-pum-eul sseu-neun ge jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: What kind of product would be good to use?
Korean Culture Notes
Bringing Photos is Common: Don’t hesitate to bring photos of the hairstyle you want. It’s a very common practice in Korean salons and helps bridge any potential language gaps, ensuring the stylist understands your desired look accurately.
Trusting the Stylist’s Recommendation: Korean hairstylists often have a good eye for styles that suit different face shapes and features. While it’s important to communicate your preferences, being open to their suggestions (추천, chu-cheon) can lead to great results.
Service Drinks and Snacks: Many Korean salons offer complimentary drinks (coffee, tea, juice) and sometimes small snacks while you wait or during your service. Feel free to accept them; it’s part of the standard service.
Tipping is Not Customary: Unlike in some Western countries, tipping is generally not expected or required in Korean hair salons. The price you are quoted usually includes the full service.
Consultation is Key: Salons often emphasize the consultation (상담, sang-dam) part. Take your time during this stage to clearly explain what you want and ask any questions you have before the actual cutting, perming, or coloring begins.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) arrives at a Korean hair salon for a consultation with the hairstylist (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 헤어 스타일 상담 좀 받고 싶어서 왔어요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, he-eo seu-ta-il sang-dam jom bat-go sip-eo-seo wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello, I came because I’d like to get a hairstyle consultation. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 어떤 스타일 생각하고 오셨어요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. eo-tteon seu-ta-il saeng-gak-ha-go o-syeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, welcome. What kind of style did you have in mind? -
Expression: A: 음… 스타일을 좀 바꾸고 싶은데, 저한테 어울리는 걸 잘 모르겠어요. 혹시 추천해 주실 만한 스타일 있으세요?
Pronunciation: A: eum… seu-ta-il-eul jom ba-kku-go sip-eun-de, jeo-han-te eo-ul-li-neun geol jal mo-reu-gess-eo-yo. hok-si chu-cheon-hae ju-sil man-han seu-ta-il iss-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: A: Hmm… I want to change my style, but I’m not sure what would suit me. Do you happen to have any styles you could recommend? -
Expression: B: 고객님 얼굴형에는 약간 층을 내서 가벼운 느낌을 주는 컷이 잘 어울리실 것 같아요. 혹시 이 사진 스타일은 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: B: go-gaek-nim eol-gul-hyeong-e-neun yak-gan cheung-eul nae-seo ga-byeo-un neu-kkim-eul ju-neun keot-i jal eo-ul-li-sil geot gat-a-yo. hok-si i sa-jin seu-ta-il-eun eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: B: For your face shape, a cut with some layers to give a lighter feel would probably suit you well. How about this style in this photo? -
Expression: A: 오, 괜찮네요! 길이는 너무 짧지 않게, 지금보다 조금만 다듬는 정도로 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: A: o, gwaen-chan-ne-yo! gil-i-neun neo-mu jjalp-ji an-ke, ji-geum-bo-da jo-geum-man da-deum-neun jeong-do-ro ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: Oh, that looks nice! For the length, I don’t want it too short, just trimmed a little from how it is now. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 그럼 끝은 살짝 다듬고 자연스럽게 층을 내 드릴게요. 염색이나 파마는 생각 없으시고요?
Pronunciation: B: al-get-seum-ni-da. geu-reom kkeut-eun sal-jjak da-deum-go ja-yeon-seu-reop-ge cheung-eul nae deu-ril-ge-yo. yeom-saek-i-na pa-ma-neun saeng-gak eop-eu-si-go-yo?
Meaning: B: Understood. Then I’ll trim the ends slightly and add natural layers. Are you not thinking about coloring or perming? -
Expression: A: 네, 오늘은 커트만 할게요. 비용은 얼마 정도 나올까요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, o-neul-eun keo-teu-man hal-ge-yo. bi-yong-eun eol-ma jeong-do na-ol-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, just a cut today. Approximately how much will the cost be? -
Expression: B: 커트만 하시면 3만원입니다. 그럼 이쪽으로 안내해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: B: keo-teu-man ha-si-myeon sam-man-won-im-ni-da. geu-reom i-jjok-eu-ro an-nae-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: B: If it’s just the cut, it’s 30,000 won. Then I’ll guide you this way.
Practice Tips
Getting the perfect haircut starts with clear communication! Try practicing these phrases by looking at Korean hairstyle photos online (search for 남자 헤어스타일 nam-ja he-eo-seu-ta-il or 여자 헤어스타일 yeo-ja he-eo-seu-ta-il) and describing them using the vocabulary you’ve learned~ Role-play a salon visit with a friend or language partner. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel walking into a real Korean salon! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting! / You can do it!)