【Learn Chinese】At the Hairdresser’s: Useful Chinese Phrases

Getting a haircut in another country is always a small adventure. Miscommunicate, and you might walk out with something very different from what you wanted. Chinese hair salons have their own vocabulary and a very specific service style — they love to chat, offer extra treatments and make recommendations. With these key phrases, you can explain exactly what you want and understand everything the hairdresser says.

When you first walk in, the receptionist will greet you and ask if you have an appointment:
Receptionist: 您好，有预约吗？(Nín hǎo, yǒu yùyuē ma?) “Hello, do you have an appointment?”
You: 没有，我想剪头发。(Méiyǒu, wǒ xiǎng jiǎn tóufa.) “No, I'd like a haircut.”
Receptionist: 好的，先洗一下头发吧，这边请。(Hǎo de, xiān xǐ yīxià tóufa ba, zhèbiān qǐng.) “Okay, let's wash your hair first. This way please.”

Almost every haircut starts with a 洗头 (xǐtóu) — hair wash. This is usually included in the price. The assistant will massage your scalp and ask if the water temperature is okay: 水温可以吗？(Shuǐwēn kěyǐ ma?)

Explaining What Cut You Want
This is the most important part. Be specific about length and style.
Common requests:
稍微修一下。 (Shāowēi xiū yīxià.) — Just trim it a little.
剪短一点。 (Jiǎn duǎn yīdiǎn.) — Cut it shorter.
剪掉大概两厘米。 (Jiǎndiào dàgài liǎng límǐ.) — Cut off about two centimetres.
不要太短。 (Bùyào tài duǎn.) — Don't cut it too short.
打薄一点。 (Dǎbáo yīdiǎn.) — Thin it out a bit.
刘海剪一下。 (Liúhǎi jiǎn yīxià.) — Trim my bangs / fringe.
For men:
两边推短，上面留长。 (Liǎngbiān tuī duǎn, shàngmiàn liú cháng.) — Short on the sides, longer on top.
剃个寸头。 (Tì ge cùntóu.) — Buzz cut / crew cut.
For extra services:
我想染发。 (Wǒ xiǎng rǎnfà.) — I want to dye my hair.
做个护理。 (Zuò ge hùlǐ.) — Do a hair treatment.

Paying & Finishing
When it is done, the hairdresser will usually hold up a mirror and show you the back, asking: 可以吗？(Kěyǐ ma?) — “Is this okay?” If you want something adjusted, say: 这里再修短一点。(Zhèlǐ zài xiū duǎn yīdiǎn.) — “Trim a bit shorter here.”
At the counter:
Cashier: 一共 68 元，请问怎么支付？(Yīgòng liùshíbā yuán, qǐngwèn zěnme zhīfù?) “That's 68 yuan total. How would you like to pay?”
You: 微信支付。(Wēixìn zhīfù.) “WeChat Pay.”