Asking for a haircut
How to ask for a haircut in Japanese
You're friends, at the salon Mei has been going to for years. She booked you in and came along, and while you wait for the stylist she's helping you work out how to ask for the cut you want. Mei speaks first, in casual Japanese: plain forms, without です and ます, the way friends and family talk. Here is how it can begin, and the phrases and words worth having ready.
casualWith Mei, at the hair salon
How Mei opens the conversation
Mei always speaks first. This is the scene's own opening line, with a reply you could give back at the same level:
今日はどんな感じにする？短くする？
Kyō wa donna kanji ni suru? Mijikaku suru?
What are you going for today? Going shorter?
You could say
うん、少しだけ短くしたいな。
Un, sukoshi dake mijikaku shitai na.
Yeah, just a little shorter.
Other ways it can begin
No two conversations go the same way, and the first line changes too. Each of these can open the scene:
見て、この写真の髪型。似合いそう！
Mite, kono shashin no kamigata. Niaisō!
Look, this hairstyle in the photo. I think it'd suit you!
You could say
いいね、見せて。
Ii ne, misete.
Nice, let me see.
私、前髪切ったんだ。気づいた？
Watashi, maegami kitta n da. Kizuita?
I got my bangs cut. Did you notice?
You could say
あ、ほんとだ！かわいいね。
A, honto da! Kawaii ne.
Oh, you're right! It's cute.
髪、最後に切ったのいつ？
Kami, saigo ni kitta no itsu?
When was the last time you got your hair cut?
You could say
半年前ぐらいかな。
Hantoshi mae gurai kana.
About half a year ago, I guess.
ここの店長さん、すごく上手なんだよ。
Koko no tenchō-san, sugoku jōzu nan da yo.
The manager here is really good, you know.
You could say
そうなんだ、楽しみ。
Sō nan da, tanoshimi.
Oh really? I'm looking forward to it.
私も色変えたいなあ。何色がいい？
Watashi mo iro kaetai nā. Naniiro ga ii?
I kind of want to change my color too. What color would be good?
You could say
明るい茶色がいいと思う。
Akarui chairo ga ii to omou.
I think a light brown would be good.
Phrases worth knowing here
Lines for what you do at the hair salon, each with when you'd say it.
- どのくらい切るの？Dono kurai kiru no?How much are you cutting off?Mei asking you to decide the length before the stylist comes.
- 三センチくらい切りたいSan-senchi kurai kiritaiI want about three centimeters off.Saying how much to take off; swap in any number.
- 前髪は短くしたくないんだよねMaegami wa mijikaku shitakunai n da yo neI don't want the bangs too short.Telling Mei what to avoid so she can relay it.
- この写真みたいにしてもらう？Kono shashin mitai ni shite morau?Want to go with this photo?When showing a picture of the style you want.
- イメチェンしてみたら？Imechen shite mitara?Why not try a whole new look?Mei teasing you into a bigger change; you can say it back to her.
Words you'll hear
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 髪 | kami | hair |
| 前髪 | maegami | bangs, fringe |
| 毛先 | kesaki | the ends of the hair |
| 切る | kiru | to cut |
| すく | suku | to thin out (hair) |
| 短く | mijikaku | shorter |
| 長さ | nagasa | length |
| 耳 | mimi | ear (as in "above the ears") |
| 美容師さん | biyōshi-san | the stylist |
| 似合う | niau | to suit (someone) |
How polite to be
casual Here Mei speaks casual Japanese: plain forms, without です and ます, the way friends and family talk, and the replies suggested to you match the level you'd use back. The guide to keigo explains the three levels, and when each is right.
Try it out loud
In Unsubtitled, Mei says these lines in their own voice, and answers whatever you say back, typed or dictated, with furigana, romaji, and a translation until you no longer need them.
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- Coffee and cake芽衣（めい） · Cafécasual
- Summer festival芽衣（めい） · Summer festivalcasual
- In the art studio芽衣（めい） · Art studiocasual
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- Sorting out your phone芽衣（めい） · Phone shopcasual
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Or see every scene, with all four characters.