Are you planning to get your hair done in Korea? Let me teach you some basic Korean phrases that can help your Korean hair makeover experience be flawless!
Before we start, let me show you some basic vocabulary that might help you as well.
미용실 = Hair Salon
이용실 = Barber Shop (salon for men)
컷 = cut
파마 = perm
일반펌 = general perm
열펌 = hit perm
염색 = hair color
영양 = nutrition (treatment for damaged hair)
앞머리 = bangs/fringe
1. I made a reservation.
예약했어요. (Yeyak-haesseoyo)
When you enter a hair salon, the staff will likely ask you this first. If you made a reservation online or by phone, you just need to provide the reservation name.
Example:
Staff: 어서오세요. 예약하셨어요? (Eoseo oseyo. Yeyakhasyeosseoyo?)
Welcome. Did you make a reservation?
Customer: 네, 예약했어요. (Your name)이요. (Ne. Yeyakhaesseoyo. _____iyo)
2. How long do I have to wait?
얼마나 기다려야 돼요? (Eolmana gidaryoeya dwaeyo?)
If you haven't made a reservation and can't receive immediate service, you can ask how long the wait will be.
Example:
Hairstylist: 좀 기다리셔야 될 것 같아요. (Jom gidarisyeoya doel geot gatayo.)
It seems like you'll have to wait for a bit.
Customer: 얼마나 기다려야 돼요? (Eolmana gidaryeoya dwaeyo?
How long do I have to wait?
3. How would you like your hair done?
머리 어떻게 하고 싶으세요? (Meori eotteohke hago sipeuseyo?)
This phrase is used by hairstylists to ask customers about their preferred style.
Example:
Hairstylist: 머리 어떻게 하고 싶으세요? (Meori eotteohke hago sipeuseyo?)
How would you like your hair done?
Customer: 이 사진처럼 해주세요. (I sajincheoreom haejuseyo.)
Please do it like this picture.
4. I want to a perm.
파마하고 싶어요. (Pama hagosipeoyo.)
If you want hair with waves, you can say you want a perm.
Example:
Hairstylist: 머리 어떻게 하고 싶으세요? (Meori eotteohke hago sipeuseyo?)
How would you like your hair done?
Customer: 파마하고 싶어요. (Pama hagosipeoyo.)
I want a perm.
5. I'd like to get a haircut.
머리 자르려고요. (Meori jareuryeokoyo)
When you want to cut your hair, you say it like this. While '머리' means 'head,' when you say you want to cut your hair at a hair salon, it refers to 'hair.
Example:
Hairstylist: 어떻게 해드릴까요? (Eotteoke haedeurilkkayo?)
How would you like your hair done?
Customer: 머리 자르려고요. (Meori jareuryeokoyo.)
I'd like to get a haircut.
6. I want to trim my bangs.
앞머리 내고 싶어요. (Apmeori naego sipeoyo.)
This sentence is used when you want to trim or style your bangs.
Example:
Customer: 앞머리 내고 싶어요. (Apmeori naego sipeoyo.)
I want to trim my bangs.
Hairstylist: 길이는 어떻게 해드릴까요? (Girineun eotteoke haedeurilkkayo?)
How short would you like your bangs?
7. Please dye it red.
빨간색으로 염색해주세요. (Ppalgan saegeuro yeomsaekhaejuseyo.)
This phrase is used if you want to dye your hair. You can replace ‘빨간색’ (ppalgansaek) with a specific color that you want.
Example:
Customer: 빨간색으로 염색해주세요. (Ppalgansaekeuro yeomsaekhaejuseyo.)
Please dye it red.
Hairstylist: 네, 바로 해드리겠습니다. (Ne, baro haedeurigesseumnida.)
Yes, I'll do it right away.
8. Would you like some tea or magazines?
차나 잡지 드릴까요? (Chana japji deurilkkayo?)
Some customers might have to wait for hours to get their hair appointments done. While waiting, stylists may ask if the customer wants some drinks or reading materials like magazines.
Example:
Hairstylist: 차나 잡지 드릴까요? (Chana jabji deirilkkayo?)
Would you like some tea or magazines?
Customer: 차 한 잔 주세요. (Cha han jan juseyo.)
Just a cup of tea, please.
9. When will it be finished?
언제 끝나요? (Eonje kkeutnayo?)
If you're curious about when the hair will be finished, ask like this. Or you can ask like that "얼마나 걸려요?"(Eolmana geolryeoyo?) That means "how long will it take?"
Example:
Customer: 언제 끝나요? (Eonje kkeutnayo?)
When will it be finished?
Hairstylist: 1시간 정도 걸려요. (Han sigan jeongdo geolleoyo.)
It takes about 1hour.
10. I'm going to wash your hair.
머리 감으러 갈게요. (Meori gameureo galgeyo.)
After getting a perm or dyeing, typically, the staff will wash your hair. When you go to the area guided by the staff, there are chairs where you can lie down.
Example:
Hairstylist: 머리 감으러 갈게요. 뒤로 누워주세요. (Meori gameuro galkeyo.)
I'm going to wash your hair. Please lay down here.
Customer: 네 (Ne.)
Alright.
11. Water is hot.
물이 뜨거워요. (Muli tteugeowoyo?)
Usually, the staff will ask if the water temperature is suitable. If the water is too hot, you can say it like this. If the water is too cold, you can say, '차가워요(Chagawoyo)'.
Example:
Hairstylist: 온도 괜찮으세요? (Ondo gwaenchanayo?)
Is the temperature okay for you?
Customer: 조금 뜨거워요. (Jogeum tteugeowoyo.)
It's a bit hot.
12. Please do some hair styling.
고데기 좀 해주세요. (Godegi jom haejuseyo.)
고데기' is a Korean word that means 'hair styler' in English. If you've only had a haircut, you can ask for hairstyling at the end. The staff can add waves to your hair, and if needed, they can also straighten it. You can go to your appointment place with an even more beautiful hairstyle.
Example:
Customer: 고데기 좀 해주세요. (Godegi jom haejuseyo.)
Please do some hair styling.
Hairstylist: 네, 컬 좀 넣어드릴게요. (Ne, kul jom neo-eodeurilkkeoyo.)
Yes, I will do some waves for you.
You are now ready to get your hair makeover done in Korea!
What Korean phrases do you want to learn? Comment down below!
collaborator : Camille Ced
Cmille is a Korean language learner and a freelance copywriter. We study Korean together, and Camille wrote the draft. Then, I corrected mistakes and supplemented what was needed.
Comments