Chinese Barber & Hair Salon Phrases: How to Get the Haircut You Actually Want

Most Chinese barbers and salons accept walk-ins, but busy shops in big cities take reservations. Call and say 我想预约理发 to book a haircut. Specify the time: 明天下午三点 for 3 PM tomorrow. Ask 现在可以剪吗 to check if you can cut right now.

Chinese salons separate barber services clearly: 剪发 for a haircut, 洗头 for a hair wash, 吹干 for blow-dry, 染发 for coloring, 烫发 for perm, and 护理 for conditioning treatment. Ask 洗剪吹多少钱 to get the package price for wash-cut-blow. Many shops bundle these; separately asking for each may cost more.

The most important skill is describing length. Say 剪短一点 for a little shorter, 不要太短 for not too short, and 只修一下 for just a trim. Use fingers to show length: 剪这么多 shows how much to cut. For sides: 两边剪短 for short sides, 后面剪短 for short back, 上面留长一点 for keeping the top longer.

Style vocabulary: 短发 for short hair, 中长发 for medium length, 长发 for long hair. 刘海 for bangs — say 刘海剪短 or 不要剪刘海 to keep them. 打薄 for thinning, 层次 for layers, 碎发 for textured ends. For men: 寸头 for crew cut, 背头 for slicked back, 分头 for side part. Show a photo and say 剪成这样 to avoid confusion.

Mid-cut you may need to adjust. Say 再短一点 for shorter, 够了 for stop — that is enough length off, and 这边还有点长 for this side is still a bit long. If the barber is working too fast and you are worried, say 慢慢来 for take it slow.

If your neck itches, say 脖子痒 to ask for a tissue or brush. The stylist may ask 这样可以吗 several times — reply 可以 for good, or 再修一下 for adjust more. When they bring a mirror to show the back, check carefully before saying 好了. For a shampoo after the cut, ask 可以洗一下吗.

Pay at the front desk — say 一共多少钱 for the total. Most shops use WeChat or Alipay: 微信还是支付宝 to ask which they accept. Tipping is not expected in Chinese hair salons and may confuse the staff.

Bonus vocabulary for specific needs: 发胶 for hair gel, 定型喷雾 for hairspray, 梳子 for comb, 吹风机 for hairdryer. 发型师 for the stylist, 理发师 for a barber, and 助理 for the assistant who washes your hair. If you have a sensitive scalp, say 头皮比较敏感. If you are unhappy with the result, politely say 这个发型不太适合我 — this style does not suit me — and ask 能再修一下吗.