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Phrasebook

English Phrases at the Hairdresser and Barber

A haircut is personal, so clear words matter. These phrases help you book an appointment, explain exactly what you want, and speak up politely if something is not right.

33 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

Booking an appointment

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'd like to book a haircut, please.

A2
Saç kesimi için randevu almak istiyorum.
  • Sure. When would you like to come in?
  • Do you have a stylist in mind?

Do you have anything available this afternoon?

A2
Bu öğleden sonra boş yeriniz var mı?
  • We have an opening at 3:30.
  • We're fully booked today, sorry.

Do you take walk-ins?

B1

A walk-in is a customer without an appointment. Many barbers accept them.

Randevusuz müşteri alıyor musunuz?
  • Yes, but there's about a 30-minute wait.
  • Sorry, appointments only.

Could I book with Maria again?

B1
Yine Maria'ya randevu alabilir miyim?
  • Let me check her schedule.

How long will it take?

A1
Ne kadar sürer?
  • About an hour.
  • Color takes a bit longer, around two hours.

I'd like to cancel my appointment.

A2
Randevumu iptal etmek istiyorum.
  • No problem. Would you like to reschedule?

Explaining what you want

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Just a trim, please.

A2

A trim is a small cut to tidy your hair, not a new style.

Sadece uçlarını alın, lütfen.
  • Sure. How much would you like off?

Could you take about two centimeters off?

B1

Americans usually measure in inches: "an inch off". UK spelling: "centimetres".

Yaklaşık iki santim alabilir misiniz?
  • About this much?

Not too short, please.

A1
Çok kısa olmasın, lütfen.
  • Got it. I'll keep most of the length.

Can you make it look like this photo?

A2

Showing a photo is the easiest way to avoid surprises.

Bu fotoğraftaki gibi yapabilir misiniz?
  • Let me see. Your hair is a bit thinner, but we can get close.

I'd like to keep it long.

A2
Uzun kalmasını istiyorum.
  • Okay, just some layers then?

Could you add some layers?

B1
Katlı kesim yapabilir misiniz?
  • Sure, that will give it more volume.

I'd like bangs.

B1

UK: "a fringe".

Kakül istiyorum.
  • Straight across or side-swept?

I'd like something completely different.

B1
Tamamen farklı bir şey istiyorum.
  • Exciting! Do you have any photos?

At the barber

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Short on the sides, a bit longer on top.

A2
Yanlar kısa, üstü biraz daha uzun.
  • What number on the sides?

A number two on the sides, please.

B1

The number is the clipper guard size. Lower numbers are shorter.

Yanlar iki numara olsun, lütfen.
  • And how about the back?

Could you do a fade?

B1

A fade goes gradually from very short at the bottom to longer above.

Yanları degrade (fade) kesebilir misiniz?
  • Low fade or high fade?

Could you trim my beard too?

A2
Sakalımı da düzeltebilir misiniz?
  • Sure. Keep the same shape?

Square at the back, please.

B2

Other options are "tapered" (gradually shorter) or "rounded".

Enseyi düz kesin, lütfen.
  • No problem.

Color and styling

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'd like to get my hair dyed.

A2

You can also say "get my hair colored". UK spelling: "coloured".

Saçımı boyatmak istiyorum.
  • What color are you thinking?

I'd like to get some highlights.

B1
Röfle yaptırmak istiyorum.
  • Full head or partial?

Could you cover my gray hairs?

B1

UK spelling: "grey". Here "hairs" is fine because you mean individual strands.

Beyazlarımı kapatabilir misiniz?
  • Sure, we'll match your natural color.

I'd like a blow-dry.

A2

In the US, a styled blow-dry is also called a "blowout".

Fön istiyorum.
  • Straight or with some volume?

Could you straighten it?

A2

UK: "straighteners" instead of "flat iron".

Düzleştirebilir misiniz?
  • Sure, I'll use the flat iron.

My scalp is sensitive.

B1
Saç derim hassas.
  • Okay, I'll use a gentle shampoo.
  • Let me know if the water's too hot.

During and after the cut

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

The water's a bit too hot.

A2
Su biraz fazla sıcak.
  • Oh, sorry. Is that better?

Could you take a little more off?

B1
Biraz daha alabilir misiniz?
  • Sure. How about here?

That's perfect, thank you.

A1
Mükemmel olmuş, teşekkür ederim.
  • Glad you like it!

Could I see the back?

A2
Arkasını görebilir miyim?
  • Sure, here's a mirror.

It's a bit shorter than I wanted.

B1

Say it calmly and right away. Small problems are often easy to fix.

İstediğimden biraz daha kısa olmuş.
  • Oh, I'm sorry. Let me even it out.

No product, thanks.

B1

"Product" means gel, wax, cream or hairspray.

Ürün sürmeyin, teşekkürler.
  • Okay, natural it is.

Can I add a tip on the card?

B1

Tipping hairdressers and barbers is expected in the US. In the UK it is optional.

Bahşişi karta ekleyebilir miyim?
  • Sure, it'll ask you on the screen.

Could I book my next appointment now?

A2
Bir sonraki randevumu şimdi alabilir miyim?
  • Of course. Same time in six weeks?

Sample dialogues

Booking by phone

Receptionist
Good morning, thanks for calling. How can I help?
Günaydın, aradığınız için teşekkürler. Nasıl yardımcı olabilirim?
Deniz
Hi, I'd like to book a cut and blow-dry, please.
Merhaba, kesim ve fön için randevu almak istiyorum.
Receptionist
Sure. Do you have a stylist in mind?
Tabii. Aklınızda belirli bir kuaför var mı?
Deniz
No, anyone is fine. Do you have anything on Saturday morning?
Hayır, fark etmez. Cumartesi sabahı boş yeriniz var mı?
Receptionist
Let me see. We have 10:30 with Jess.
Bir bakayım. Saat 10.30'da Jess'in boş yeri var.
Deniz
Perfect. How long will it take?
Harika. Ne kadar sürer?
Receptionist
About an hour. Can I take your name and number?
Yaklaşık bir saat. Adınızı ve numaranızı alabilir miyim?
Deniz
It's Deniz, D-E-N-I-Z.
Deniz, D-E-N-İ-Z.

At the barber

Barber
Hey, have a seat. What are we doing today?
Selam, buyur otur. Bugün ne yapıyoruz?
Mert
Short on the sides, a bit longer on top, please.
Yanlar kısa, üstü biraz daha uzun, lütfen.
Barber
Sure. What number on the sides?
Tamam. Yanlar kaç numara?
Mert
A number two, I think. Could you do a low fade?
Sanırım iki numara. Alttan hafif bir degrade yapabilir misin?
Barber
No problem. Want me to trim your beard too?
Olur. Sakalını da düzelteyim mi?
Mert
Yes, please. Just keep the same shape.
Evet, lütfen. Şekli aynı kalsın.
Barber
Okay, all done. How's that?
Tamam, bitti. Nasıl olmuş?
Mert
Could you take a little more off the top?
Üstten biraz daha alabilir misin?
Barber
Sure. Better?
Tabii. Daha iyi mi?
Mert
That's perfect, thanks.
Mükemmel, teşekkürler.

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

I want to cut my hair.

I'd like to get my hair cut. / I'd like a haircut.

Turkish "saçımı kestirmek" means someone else cuts it. In English, "cut my hair" means you do it yourself. Use "get my hair cut" for a service.

Can you cut my hairs?

Can you cut my hair?

"Hair" on your head is uncountable. "Hairs" means a few single strands, for example "gray hairs".

Just cut the tips, please.

Just a trim, please. / Just take a little off the ends.

Turkish "uçları" becomes "the ends" in English, and "a trim" is the usual word.

I want a fön.

I'd like a blow-dry.

Turkish "fön" comes from German. In English the service is a "blow-dry" and the tool is a "hair dryer".

Can you make my beard?

Could you trim my beard? / Could you give me a shave?

Turkish "sakalımı yapar mısın" does not translate with "make". Use "trim" to shorten it and "shave" to remove it.

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

  1. 1. You want someone to cut your hair. What do you say?

  2. 2. A small cut to tidy your hair is a:

  3. 3. What is the British word for "bangs"?

  4. 4. At the barber, "a number one" is ___ than "a number four".

  5. 5. Choose the correct sentence.

  6. 6. A customer without an appointment is a:

  7. 7. It is still too long. What do you say?

  8. 8. "Product" at the hairdresser means:

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers
  1. I'd like to get my hair cut.
  2. trim
  3. fringe
  4. shorter
  5. She has beautiful hair.
  6. walk-in
  7. Could you take a little more off?
  8. gel, wax or spray

See what the A2 English course covers, or test your level first.

People also ask

What is the difference between a hairdresser, a hair salon and a barber?+

A hairdresser or hairstylist works in a hair salon and does cuts, color and styling. A barber usually does short men's cuts, fades and beard trims, often without an appointment.

How do I explain how much hair to cut?+

Use "Just a trim" for a small cut, or give a measurement like "about two centimeters off" or "an inch off" in the US. Showing a photo of the style you want is the clearest option.

Should I tip at the hairdresser?+

In the US, tipping your stylist or barber is expected. In the UK and many other countries it is optional, so a small tip is a nice extra for good service.

What if I do not like my haircut?+

Say it politely before you leave, for example "It's a bit shorter than I wanted" or "Could you even out this side?" Many salons will fix small problems for free.

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