Getting your nails done is a popular form of self-care, and Korean nail salons offer intricate and trendy designs. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for requesting nail art services, from making an appointment to describing the exact style you want. Learn how to communicate effectively with nail technicians in Korea to get the perfect manicure or pedicure.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 네일아트 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ne-il-a-teu bat-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to get nail art. (This is the most direct way to state your intention.)
Making an Appointment
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Expression: 네일 예약하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ne-il ye-yak-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to make a nail appointment. -
Expression: 오늘 예약 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: o-neul ye-yak ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to make an appointment today? -
Expression: 내일 오후 2시에 예약할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: nae-il o-hu du-si-e ye-yak-hal su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I make an appointment for 2 PM tomorrow? -
Expression: 혹시 빈 시간 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si bin si-gan it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have any available time slots? -
Expression: 젤 네일 예약하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: jel ne-il ye-yak-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’d like to book a gel nail appointment. -
Expression: 기본 케어만 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: gi-bon ke-eo-man bat-eul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I just get basic care? -
Expression: 예약 변경/취소하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ye-yak byeon-gyeong / chwi-so-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to change/cancel my appointment. -
Expression: 몇 시에 가면 될까요?
Pronunciation: myeot si-e ga-myeon doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: What time should I come? -
Expression: 성함과 연락처를 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: seong-ham-gwa yeol-lak-cheo-reul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me your name and contact number. (Salon staff might say this) -
Expression: 예약 확인 문자 보내드릴게요.
Pronunciation: ye-yak hwa-gin mun-ja bo-nae-deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I will send you a confirmation text message. (Salon staff might say this)
Describing Your Desired Style
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Expression: 이 디자인으로 해주세요.
Pronunciation: i di-ja-in-eu-ro hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please do it in this design. (Show a picture) -
Expression: 심플한 디자인으로 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: sim-peul-han di-ja-in-eu-ro ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want a simple design. -
Expression: 화려한 스타일 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: hwa-ryeo-han seu-ta-il jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I like flashy styles. -
Expression: 이 색깔로 해주세요.
Pronunciation: i saek-kkal-lo hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please use this color. -
Expression: 프렌치 네일로 해주세요.
Pronunciation: peu-ren-chi ne-il-lo hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please do French nails. -
Expression: 글리터 추가해 주세요.
Pronunciation: geul-li-teo chu-ga-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please add glitter. -
Expression: 파츠 붙여주세요.
Pronunciation: pa-cheu but-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please attach nail charms/parts. -
Expression: 손톱 모양은 어떻게 해드릴까요?
Pronunciation: son-top mo-yang-eun eo-tteo-ke hae-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: How would you like your nail shape? (Staff might ask) -
Expression: 라운드/스퀘어 모양으로 해주세요.
Pronunciation: ra-un-deu / seu-kwe-eo mo-yang-eu-ro hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please shape them round/square. -
Expression: 길이는 이 정도로 잘라주세요.
Pronunciation: gi-ri-neun i jeong-do-ro jal-la-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please cut the length to about this much. (Indicate with fingers) -
Expression: 무광/유광 탑코트로 해주세요.
Pronunciation: mu-gwang / yu-gwang tap-ko-teu-ro hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please use a matte/glossy top coat. -
Expression: 이달의 아트 중에서 고를게요.
Pronunciation: i-dal-ui a-teu jung-e-seo go-reul-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll choose from this month’s special art designs.
During the Nail Art Service
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Expression: 아파요! / 조금 아파요.
Pronunciation: a-pa-yo! / jo-geum a-pa-yo.
Meaning: It hurts! / It hurts a little. -
Expression: 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-a-yo.
Meaning: It’s okay. / It’s fine. -
Expression: 조금 더 짧게 잘라주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum deo jjal-ge jal-la-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please cut it a little shorter. -
Expression: 이 색깔 마음에 들어요.
Pronunciation: i saek-kkal ma-eum-e deul-eo-yo.
Meaning: I like this color. -
Expression: 다른 색깔 보여주세요.
Pronunciation: da-reun saek-kkal bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please show me other colors. -
Expression: 큐티클 제거는 살살 해주세요.
Pronunciation: kyu-ti-keul je-geo-neun sal-sal hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please be gentle when removing the cuticles. -
Expression: 시간이 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: si-gan-i eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: How long will it take? -
Expression: 뜨거워요!
Pronunciation: tteu-geo-wo-yo!
Meaning: It’s hot! (Often said when curing gel nails under the lamp) -
Expression: 여기 좀 더 다듬어 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi jom deo da-deum-eo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please file/trim here a bit more. -
Expression: 거의 다 됐나요?
Pronunciation: geo-ui da dwaet-na-yo?
Meaning: Are we almost done? -
Expression: 예쁘게 잘 된 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ye-ppeu-ge jal doen geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think it turned out beautifully.
Finishing Up and Paying
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Expression: 다 됐습니다.
Pronunciation: da dwaet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s all done. (Staff will say this) -
Expression: 마음에 드세요?
Pronunciation: ma-eum-e deu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you like it? (Staff might ask) -
Expression: 네, 마음에 들어요. / 너무 예뻐요!
Pronunciation: ne, ma-eum-e deul-eo-yo. / neo-mu ye-ppeo-yo!
Meaning: Yes, I like it. / It’s so pretty! -
Expression: 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it? -
Expression: 총 [금액]원입니다.
Pronunciation: chong [geum-aek]-won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The total is [amount] won. (Staff will say this) -
Expression: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the receipt. -
Expression: 감사합니다. 수고하셨습니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. su-go-ha-syeot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. You worked hard. (Polite way to thank the staff) -
Expression: 다음에 또 올게요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e tto ol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll come again next time. -
Expression: 젤 제거는 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: jel je-geo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is gel removal? -
Expression: 회원가입하면 혜택이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hoe-won-ga-ip-ha-myeon hye-taeg-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there benefits if I sign up for membership?
Korean Culture Notes
Appointments are Recommended: While walk-ins might be possible at some salons, especially during off-peak hours, making an appointment (예약, ye-yak) is highly recommended, particularly for popular salons or specific technicians. Call ahead or use booking apps if available.
“This Month’s Art” (이달의 아트, i-dal-ui a-teu): Many Korean nail salons offer a set of discounted nail art designs each month called 이달의 아트. These are often trendy and offer good value. Ask to see the options!
Visual Communication is Key: Don’t hesitate to bring pictures! Showing photos of the design, color, or style you want is very common and helps bridge any language gap. Most technicians appreciate visual references.
Pricing Structure: Prices can vary significantly. Basic care (기본 케어, gi-bon ke-eo) is usually the base price. Gel nails (젤 네일, jel ne-il), specific art, charms (파츠, pa-cheu), and glitter (글리터, geul-li-teo) usually add to the cost. Confirm the price beforehand if you’re on a budget.
Saying “Thank You”: At the end of the service, saying 수고하셨습니다 (su-go-ha-syeot-seum-ni-da) is a polite and common way to acknowledge the technician’s effort, in addition to 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Sarah goes to a Korean nail salon to get gel nail art.
Characters:
A: Sarah (Customer)
B: Nail Technician
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Expression: B: 어서오세요. 예약하셨어요?
Pronunciation: eo-seo-o-se-yo. ye-yak-ha-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Welcome. Did you make an appointment? -
Expression: A: 네, 오늘 3시에 예약했어요. 이름은 사라예요.
Pronunciation: ne, o-neul se-si-e ye-yak-haet-seo-yo. i-reum-eun sa-ra-ye-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I made an appointment for 3 PM today. My name is Sarah. -
Expression: B: 네, 사라님. 이쪽으로 앉으세요. 어떤 디자인 생각하고 오셨어요?
Pronunciation: ne, sa-ra-nim. i-jjok-eu-ro an-jeu-se-yo. eo-tteon di-ja-in saeng-gak-ha-go o-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Yes, Sarah-nim. Please sit here. What kind of design are you thinking of? -
Expression: A: 이 사진처럼 하고 싶어요. 젤 네일로요.
Pronunciation: i sa-jin-cheo-reom ha-go sip-eo-yo. jel ne-il-lo-yo.
Meaning: I want it like this picture. With gel nails. -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 예쁜 디자인이네요. 색깔은 이걸로 괜찮으세요? 파츠도 추가하실 건가요?
Pronunciation: a, ne. ye-ppeun di-ja-in-i-ne-yo. saek-kkal-eun i-geol-lo gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo? pa-cheu-do chu-ga-ha-sil geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Ah, okay. That’s a pretty design. Is this color okay? Will you be adding charms too? -
Expression: A: 네, 그 색깔 좋아요. 파츠는 괜찮아요. 심플하게 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu saek-kkal jo-a-yo. pa-cheu-neun gwaen-chan-a-yo. sim-peul-ha-ge ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that color is good. No charms, thank you. I want it simple. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 그럼 시작할게요. 불편하시면 말씀해주세요.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. geu-reom si-jak-hal-ge-yo. bul-pyeon-ha-si-myeon mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Understood. Then I’ll begin. Please let me know if you feel uncomfortable. -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, thank you. -
Expression: B: (After finishing) 다 됐습니다. 마음에 드세요?
Pronunciation: da dwaet-seum-ni-da. ma-eum-e deu-se-yo?
Meaning: (After finishing) It’s all done. Do you like it? -
Expression: A: 와, 너무 예뻐요! 마음에 쏙 들어요. 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: wa, neo-mu ye-ppeo-yo! ma-eum-e ssok deul-eo-yo. eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: Wow, it’s so pretty! I really love it. How much is it? -
Expression: B: 총 5만 5천원입니다.
Pronunciation: chong o-man o-cheon-won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The total is 55,000 won. -
Expression: A: 카드로 계산할게요. 수고하셨습니다!
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo. su-go-ha-syeot-seum-ni-da!
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. Thank you for your hard work!
Practice Tips
Getting your nails done in Korea can be a fun cultural experience! Try practicing these phrases before you go~ Look up nail salon accounts on Instagram to see popular styles and maybe find a picture (사진, sa-jin) you like! Don’t be afraid to use gestures along with the phrases, especially when talking about length (길이, gi-ri) or shape (모양, mo-yang). Most importantly, enjoy your beautiful new nails! 화이팅!
