Getting a Haircut in Korea: What to Say at the Salon

A haircut can go wrong even when you know the Korean word for “short.” The useful part is specifying how much to remove, where to keep length, and whether you want layers or bangs. Take two reference photos—front and back if possible—and agree on the service and price before the stylist begins. The examples below are phrases to adapt, not a promise that every salon offers the same menu or speaks English.

Before booking: choose the service, not just a salon

Search for 미용실 (hair salon) or 헤어샵 (hair shop) and check the current service menu, stylist availability, opening hours, and recent work. A 커트 is a cut; 염색 is coloring; 펌 is a perm. Do not assume shampoo, styling, a particular stylist, or tax is included in a displayed cut price. Ask the salon directly when the listing is unclear. Some accept walk-ins; others take appointments. A booking page is useful, but the shop’s current confirmation is the deciding information.

If you have a specific color, chemical treatment, or a previous treatment that could affect the result, explain it before booking. A photo of a desired result cannot tell a stylist everything about your hair’s history. Ask what is feasible, how long it will take, and the total price before agreeing.

The consultation: show length with your fingers

“A little shorter” can mean different things to different people. Point to the place where you want your hair to end while you are sitting upright. For a small trim, say 끝만 조금 다듬어 주세요 (“Please trim just the ends a little”). For a measurable change, say 이 정도만 잘라 주세요 (“Please cut about this much”) while showing the amount with your fingers. If keeping the length matters, add 길이는 많이 줄이지 말아 주세요 (“Please don’t take off much length”).

Show a front photo for bangs and face-framing pieces, a side photo for the silhouette, and a back photo for the neckline or layers. Also point out what you do not want. A picture can show a style; your words should set the limit. If you want to keep your bangs, say 앞머리는 그대로 두고 싶어요 (“I’d like to keep the bangs as they are”). If you want no layers, say 층은 내지 말아 주세요 (“Please don’t add layers”). Confirm the stylist understands which parts of the reference photo matter to you.

A short script to use at the chair

These are practical example sentences, not a transcript of a real appointment. If you are unsure of pronunciation, showing the Korean text on your phone is often clearer than guessing a technical term. For general Korean vocabulary, the National Institute of Korean Language’s Korean-English Learners’ Dictionary is a useful reference; it does not validate a particular salon’s service or price.

Check additions before they happen

During the consultation, ask whether 샴푸 (shampoo), 드라이 (blow-dry or styling), and any treatment are included. If the stylist recommends a perm, color, or treatment you did not book, ask for the price and time first. 오늘은 커트만 할게요 means “I’ll have just a cut today.” You can decline an add-on without having to explain why.

If you need an adjustment, point to a specific area before leaving rather than saying the whole cut is wrong. Look at the back with a handheld mirror, check the length on both sides, and ask a small correction while still in the salon. A styling product or blow-dry may make the shape look different after your next wash; ask how to recreate the finish if that matters to you.

Three decisions to make before you sit down

1. Service: cut alone, or a separate color, perm, or treatment? Confirm the total and what is included.
2. Length: point to the end position or demonstrate the amount to remove; do not rely on “short” alone.
3. Reference: show more than one angle and explain which features you want to keep or avoid.

Information and example phrases checked September 29, 2026. Prices, booking methods, service inclusions, and staff languages depend on the shop; confirm directly before paying. Images are AI-generated illustrations, not evidence of a visit or endorsement.