Convincing a child that a haircut is necessary can be a common parenting challenge, especially when communicating in a different language. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and explanations for parents needing to tell their child why they can’t skip their haircut, covering reasons, reassurance, and the process itself.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 머리 잘라야 해.
Pronunciation: meo-ri jal-la-ya hae
Meaning: You need to get a haircut. (Informal, suitable for a child)
Reasons for a Haircut
-
Expression: 머리가 너무 길어졌어.
Pronunciation: meo-ri-ga neo-mu gil-eo-jyeoss-eo
Meaning: Your hair has gotten too long. -
Expression: 머리카락이 눈을 찔러서 불편하잖아.
Pronunciation: meo-ri-ka-rag-i nun-eul jjil-leo-seo bul-pyeon-ha-jan-a
Meaning: Your hair is poking your eyes, isn’t that uncomfortable? -
Expression: 머리가 덥수룩해서 답답해 보여.
Pronunciation: meo-ri-ga deop-su-ruk-hae-seo dap-dap-hae bo-yeo
Meaning: Your hair is shaggy and looks stuffy/uncomfortable. -
Expression: 깔끔하게 자르면 더 멋있을 거야.
Pronunciation: kkal-kkeum-ha-ge ja-reu-myeon deo meos-iss-eul geo-ya
Meaning: You’ll look cooler/more handsome if you cut it neatly. -
Expression: 머리 감고 말리기도 힘들잖아.
Pronunciation: meo-ri gam-go mal-li-gi-do him-deul-jan-a
Meaning: It’s hard to wash and dry your hair too, isn’t it? -
Expression: 단정하게 보여야지.
Pronunciation: dan-jeong-ha-ge bo-yeo-ya-ji
Meaning: You need to look neat and tidy. -
Expression: 머리가 엉키면 아프잖아.
Pronunciation: meo-ri-ga eong-ki-myeon a-peu-jan-a
Meaning: It hurts when your hair gets tangled, right? -
Expression: 짧게 자르면 시원할 거야.
Pronunciation: jjalp-ge ja-reu-myeon si-won-hal geo-ya
Meaning: It will feel cool/refreshing if you cut it short. -
Expression: 이번에는 머리 꼭 잘라야 해.
Pronunciation: i-beon-e-neun meo-ri kkok jal-la-ya hae
Meaning: This time, you really must get a haircut. -
Expression: 머리 안 자르면 지저분해 보여.
Pronunciation: meo-ri an ja-reu-myeon ji-jeo-bun-hae bo-yeo
Meaning: If you don’t cut your hair, it looks messy.
Addressing Reluctance
-
Expression: 머리 자르기 싫은 거 알아.
Pronunciation: meo-ri ja-reu-gi sil-eun geo ar-a
Meaning: I know you don’t want to get a haircut. -
Expression: 하지만 꼭 해야 하는 거야.
Pronunciation: ha-ji-man kkok hae-ya ha-neun geo-ya
Meaning: But it’s something you have to do. -
Expression: 금방 끝날 거야.
Pronunciation: geum-bang kkeut-nal geo-ya
Meaning: It will be over quickly. -
Expression: 조금만 참으면 돼.
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man cham-eu-myeon dwae
Meaning: You just need to bear it for a little while. -
Expression: 미용실 가는 거 무서워?
Pronunciation: mi-yong-sil ga-neun geo mu-seo-wo?
Meaning: Are you scared of going to the hair salon? -
Expression: 엄마/아빠가 옆에 있을게.
Pronunciation: eom-ma / a-ppa-ga yeop-e iss-eul-ge
Meaning: Mom/Dad will be right beside you. -
Expression: 하나도 안 아파. 걱정 마.
Pronunciation: ha-na-do an a-pa. geok-jeong ma
Meaning: It doesn’t hurt at all. Don’t worry. -
Expression: 머리 자르고 나면 기분 좋아질 거야.
Pronunciation: meo-ri ja-reu-go na-myeon gi-bun jo-a-jil geo-ya
Meaning: You’ll feel better after getting your haircut. -
Expression: 우리 약속했잖아, 머리 자르기로.
Pronunciation: u-ri yak-sok-haet-jan-a, meo-ri ja-reu-gi-ro
Meaning: We promised, didn’t we? To get a haircut. -
Expression: 떼쓰지 말고 얌전히 있자.
Pronunciation: tte-sseu-ji mal-go yam-jeon-hi it-ja
Meaning: Let’s not throw a tantrum and be calm. -
Expression: 다 끝나고 맛있는 거 사줄게.
Pronunciation: da kkeut-na-go mas-iss-neun geo sa-jul-ge
Meaning: I’ll buy you something delicious after it’s all done.
Setting Expectations at the Salon
-
Expression: 이제 미용실 갈 시간이야.
Pronunciation: i-je mi-yong-sil gal si-gan-i-ya
Meaning: It’s time to go to the hair salon now. -
Expression: 의자에 얌전히 앉아 있어야 해.
Pronunciation: ui-ja-e yam-jeon-hi an-ja iss-eo-ya hae
Meaning: You need to sit still nicely in the chair. -
Expression: 움직이면 위험해.
Pronunciation: um-jig-i-myeon wi-heom-hae
Meaning: It’s dangerous if you move. -
Expression: 미용사 아저씨/아줌마 말씀 잘 듣자.
Pronunciation: mi-yong-sa a-jeo-ssi / a-jum-ma mal-sseum jal deut-ja
Meaning: Let’s listen carefully to the hairdresser (Mr./Ms.). -
Expression: 눈 꼭 감고 있어.
Pronunciation: nun kkok gam-go iss-eo
Meaning: Keep your eyes tightly closed. -
Expression: 가위 소리 조금 날 거야.
Pronunciation: ga-wi so-ri jo-geum nal geo-ya
Meaning: There will be a little bit of scissor sound. -
Expression: 머리카락이 얼굴에 떨어질 수도 있어.
Pronunciation: meo-ri-ka-rag-i eol-gul-e tteol-eo-jil su-do iss-eo
Meaning: Hair might fall on your face. -
Expression: 거의 다 끝나가. 조금만 더 참아.
Pronunciation: geo-ui da kkeut-na-ga. jo-geum-man deo cham-a
Meaning: It’s almost finished. Just bear it a little longer. -
Expression: 와, 정말 멋지게 변신했네!
Pronunciation: wa, jeong-mal meot-ji-ge byeon-sin-haet-ne!
Meaning: Wow, you’ve transformed so coolly! -
Expression: 머리 감겨줄 때 가만히 있자.
Pronunciation: meo-ri gam-gyeo-jul ttae ga-man-hi it-ja
Meaning: Let’s stay still when they wash your hair. -
Expression: 이제 집에 가자.
Pronunciation: i-je jib-e ga-ja
Meaning: Let’s go home now.
Cultural Tips
In Korea, maintaining a neat appearance (단정함 – dan-jeong-ham) is often emphasized, even for young children. Parents might stress the importance of looking tidy for school or social interactions.
Children’s hair salons (어린이 미용실 – eo-rin-i mi-yong-sil) are popular and often equipped with car-shaped chairs, cartoons, and toys to make the experience more enjoyable and less intimidating for kids.
It’s common for parents to stay very close to their child during the haircut, offering comfort and reassurance. Some salons even have double chairs for this purpose.
Offering a small reward or treat (보상 – bo-sang) after a successful haircut is a common parenting tactic used to encourage cooperation.
While styles vary, simple, easy-to-manage haircuts are generally preferred for young children, reflecting the cultural value placed on practicality and neatness.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A parent (A) is trying to convince their young child (B) that it’s time for a haircut, but the child is resistant.
-
Expression: A: 우리아들/딸, 머리가 너무 길었다. 미용실 가야겠네.
Pronunciation: u-ri a-deul / ttal, meo-ri-ga neo-mu gil-eot-da. mi-yong-sil ga-ya-gen-ne
Meaning: A: My son/daughter, your hair is too long. We need to go to the hair salon. -
Expression: B: 싫어! 머리 안 자를 거야!
Pronunciation: sil-eo! meo-ri an ja-reul geo-ya!
Meaning: B: No! I don’t want to cut my hair! -
Expression: A: 왜 싫어? 머리카락이 눈 찌르잖아. 불편하지 않아?
Pronunciation: wae sil-eo? meo-ri-ka-rag-i nun jji-reu-jan-a. bul-pyeon-ha-ji an-a?
Meaning: A: Why not? Your hair is poking your eyes. Isn’t it uncomfortable? -
Expression: B: 괜찮아! 자르기 싫어! 무서워!
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-a! ja-reu-gi sil-eo! mu-seo-wo!
Meaning: B: It’s okay! I don’t want to cut it! It’s scary! -
Expression: A: 하나도 안 무서워. 엄마/아빠가 옆에 꼭 같이 있을게. 금방 끝나.
Pronunciation: ha-na-do an mu-seo-wo. eom-ma / a-ppa-ga yeop-e kkok gat-i iss-eul-ge. geum-bang kkeut-na
Meaning: A: It’s not scary at all. Mom/Dad will be right there next to you. It’ll be over quickly. -
Expression: A: 깔끔하게 자르면 더 멋있고 시원할 거야. 이번에는 꼭 잘라야 해.
Pronunciation: kkal-kkeum-ha-ge ja-reu-myeon deo meos-it-go si-won-hal geo-ya. i-beon-e-neun kkok jal-la-ya hae
Meaning: A: If you cut it neatly, you’ll look cooler and feel refreshed. You really must cut it this time. -
Expression: B: 정말? 금방 끝나?
Pronunciation: jeong-mal? geum-bang kkeut-na?
Meaning: B: Really? It’ll be over quickly? -
Expression: A: 그럼! 다 끝나고 아이스크림 사줄게. 약속!
Pronunciation: geu-reom! da kkeut-na-go a-i-seu-keu-rim sa-jul-ge. yak-sok!
Meaning: A: Of course! I’ll buy you ice cream after it’s all done. Promise!
Practice Tips
Dealing with a reluctant child requires patience! Try role-playing the situation with your child using these phrases~ You can pretend to be the hairdresser while your child practices sitting still, or vice-versa!
Listen carefully to the pronunciations and practice saying them clearly. Using the right tone – firm but reassuring – is also important when talking to children. Don’t be afraid to use gestures alongside the words!
Remembering the reasons (머리가 길어서 – meo-ri-ga gil-eo-seo, 눈을 찔러서 – nun-eul jjil-leo-seo) and offering reassurance (괜찮아 – gwaen-chan-a, 금방 끝나 – geum-bang kkeut-na) will make the conversation smoother. Good luck! 화이팅!
