Get ready to master Mandarin at the salon. In today’s post, you will learn must-know Chinese hair lingo. Whether you’re planning to visit China or just want to expand your language skills, we will help you navigate your way to a fabulous haircut while impressing the locals with your language prowess. Let’s get started!
First, let’s acquaint ourselves with important vocabulary related to the haircare domain in Chinese-speaking areas:
- 理发店 (lǐ fǎ diàn) barbershop
- 理发师 (lǐ fǎ shī) barber
- 发廊 (fà láng) hair salon
- 发型师 (fǎxíng shī) hairstylist
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE SALON:
Planning ahead? If you want to ensure you get the time slot you prefer, it’s a good idea to make an appointment. You may also want to know what you can expect to pay beforehand. Here’s how in Chinese:
- 我想跟东城预约,下星期一剪发和染发。
(Wǒ xiǎng gēn dōng chéng yù yuē xià xīng qī yī jiǎn fā hé rǎn fā.)
I want to make an appointment with Dong Cheng, for a haircut and color next Monday. - 我没有预约;你今天有空吗？
(Wǒ méiyǒu yùyuē; nǐ jīntiān yǒu kòng ma?)
I don’t have an appointment; do you have time today? - 多少钱？
(Duō shǎo qián?)
How much does it cost? - 请问洗、剪、吹多收钱？
(Qǐng wèn xǐ、 jiǎn、chuī duō shōu qián ？)
How much is a wash, cut, and dry?
Not fond of reading? Check out our 2-part video series below!
GREETING YOUR STYLIST
First impressions matter, and greeting your hairstylist in their native language is a fantastic way to start. Here are some essential phrases to remember:
- 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) Hello
- 您好 (Nín hǎo) Hello (formal)
- 请问 (Qǐng wèn) Excuse me. / May I ask.
HOW TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU’RE INTERESTED IN
Communicating your desired haircut style is key to leaving the salon satisfied. Here’s how to express yourself:
- 我想要…… (Wǒ xiǎng yào……) I want…
- 我只需要修一修。 (Wó zhǐ xūyào xiū yì xiū.) I would just like a trim.
- 我想换现在最流行的发型。 (Wǒ xiǎng huàn xiànzài zuì liúxíng de fāxíng.) I want to change to the latest hairstyle.
- 我想剪像这张照片的样子。 (Wǒ xiǎng jiǎn xiàng zhè zhāng zhào piàn de yàng zǐ .) I want to cut it to look like this photo.
- 我今天想换一个发式。 (Wǒ jīntiān xiǎng huàn yígè fāshì.) I want to try something different today.
- 我想做接发。 (Wǒ xiǎng zuò jiē fā. ) I want to do hair extensions.
- 发烫直。 (Wǒ xiǎng bǎ tóu fǎ tàng zhí.) I want to straighten my hair.
- 我想烫发。 (Wǒ xiǎng tàng fà.) I want a perm.
Here are some other options you might consider during your visit:
- 刘海 (liúhǎi) bangs
- 层次 (céngcì) layers
- 吹干 (chuī gān) blow-dry
- 洗头发 (xǐ tóu fà) wash hair
- 洗发水 (xǐ fà shuǐ) shampoo
- 护发素 (hù fà sù) conditioner
HOW TO DESCRIBE TYPES OF HAIR
If you’ve ever been curious about how to describe various hair types in Chinese, look no further:
- 卷发 (juǎnfà) curly hair
- 长发 (cháng fà) long hair
- 中长发 (zhōng cháng fà) medium-length hair
- 短发 (duǎn fà) short hair
- 及肩发 (jí jiān fà) shoulder-length hair
- 直发 (zhífà) straight hair
- 波浪 (bōlàng) wavy hair
You are going to be a hair expert in no time!
DISCUSSING HAIR COLOR IN CHINESE
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to change your hair color, here’s how to communicate that:
- 我想染头发。 (Wǒ xiáng rǎn tóufa.) I want to have my hair dyed.
- 我想挑染，你建议什么颜色呢？ (Wǒ xiǎng tiāo rǎn ， nǐ jiàn yì shén me yán sè ne ？) I want highlights, what color do you suggest?
Check out this awesome selection of colors for you to choose from:
- 浅棕色 (qiǎn zōngsè) ash brown
- 红褐色 (hóng hésè) auburn
- 酒红色 (jiǔ hóngsè) burgundy
- 栗子色 (lìzǐ sè) chestnut
- 红铜色 (hóng tóng sè) copper red
- 亮黑色 (liàng hēisè) jet black
- 自然黑 (zìrán hēi) natural black
- 亮金色 (liàng jīnsè) platinum blonde
ASKING QUESTIONS AND PROVIDING FEEDBACK
Engage in a friendly and enjoyable chat with your hairstylist, by sparking conversations through questions and sharing feedback. Here are some phrases to help you get started:
- 你觉得怎么样？(Nǐ juédé zěnmeyàng?) What do you think?
- 你推荐什么样的发型? (Nǐ tuījiàn shénme yàng de fàxíng?) What kind of hairstyle do you recommend?
- 大概什么时候能做好？ (Dàgài shénme shíhou néng zuò hǎo?) Around what time will we be finished?
- 你能再剪一点儿吗？ (Nǐ néng zài jiǎn yìdiǎnr ma?) Could you cut a little bit more?
- 谢谢，我很喜欢! (Xièxiè, wǒ hěn xǐhuān!) Thank you, I really like it!
WANT MORE?
Discover more valuable vocabulary and phrases within the pages of our free PDF.
CONCLUSION
Learning Chinese vocabulary and phrases for a hair salon adventure is a fantastic way to practice your language skills while indulging in self-care. From greetings to discussing hair treatments, you now have the tools to confidently communicate with your hairstylist. So, next time you’re in a Chinese-speaking country or even in your hometown, you’ll be equipped to have a fabulous hair salon experience.
加油! (Jiāyóu!) Keep up the good work!
Your Favorite Mandarin Manaic, Ashley