First Phrases

Hairdresser phrases · Deutsch

Hairdresser phrases in German: 15 phrases

Book a cut, say how short you want it, show a photo, ask for a wash, trim the sides or the beard, say no to product, ask the price, pay by card and say thank you. Short, polite phrases for the hairdresser or barber in a new country. Pair them with Meet & Mint once you are settled.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Neutral. In Germany, "Sie" is the safe default at a hairdresser ("Friseur / Friseurin") or barber, though many younger stylists and barbers say "du" right away; follow what they use. "Bitte" and "danke" go a long way. Phrases only: this card gives no advice. Prices and booking rules differ between salons, so ask the salon.

How to read the sounds: kh = the ch of Scottish 'loch' (after a, o, u) or a soft hiss like 'h' in 'huge' (after i, e). ue = ü (say 'ee' with rounded lips), oe = ö. z = ts, v = f, w = v. Stress is in CAPITALS.

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15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Polite
    Ich möchte gern einen Termin vereinbaren.
    Say it like: ikh MUERKH-te gern INE-en ter-MEEN fer-INE-bah-ren
    I'd like to book an appointment.
    Register: 'Einen Termin vereinbaren' = to book an appointment.
  2. 02Polite
    Haben Sie heute noch Zeit?
    Say it like: HAH-ben zee HOY-te nokh tsite
    Do you have time today?
    Register: Asks for a free slot today.
  3. 03Neutral
    Nur nachschneiden, bitte.
    Say it like: noor NAKH-shny-den, BIT-te
    Just a trim, please.
    Register: "Nachschneiden" = to trim again, just tidy up.
  4. 04Neutral
    An den Seiten etwas kürzer.
    Say it like: an dayn ZY-ten ET-vas KUR-tser
    A little shorter on the sides.
    Register: "An den Seiten" = at the sides.
  5. 05Neutral
    Nicht zu kurz, bitte.
    Say it like: nikht tsoo koorts, BIT-te
    Not too short, please.
    Register: Say it early.
  6. 06Neutral
    So wie auf diesem Foto.
    Say it like: zoh vee owf DEE-zem FOH-toh
    Like in this photo.
    Register: Show the photo.
  7. 07Polite
    Können Sie die Haare auch waschen?
    Say it like: KOEN-nen zee dee HAH-re owkh VASH-en
    Can you wash it too?
    Register: "Waschen" = to wash.
  8. 08Neutral
    Ohne Produkte, danke.
    Say it like: OH-ne pro-DOOK-te, DAN-ke
    No product, thanks.
    Register: Said when they offer styling products.
  9. 09Neutral
    Was kostet das?
    Say it like: vas KOS-tet das
    How much is it?
    Register: Normal at the till.
  10. 10Neutral
    Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
    Say it like: kan ikh mit KAR-te TSAH-len
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: Ask first: some small salons take cash only.
  11. 11Neutral
    Das ist perfekt, danke.
    Say it like: das ist per-FEKT, DAN-ke
    That's perfect, thank you.
    Register: Said when you like the result.
  12. 12Neutral
    Oben noch etwas kürzer.
    Say it like: OH-ben nokh ET-vas KUR-tser
    A bit more off the top.
    Register: "Oben" = on top.
  13. 13Polite
    Ich möchte die Länge behalten.
    Say it like: ikh MUERKH-te dee LENG-e be-HAL-ten
    I'd like to keep the length.
    Register: "Behalten" = to keep.
  14. 14Polite
    Können Sie meinen Bart in Form bringen?
    Say it like: KOEN-nen zee MY-nen bart in form BRING-en
    Can you tidy my beard?
    Register: "In Form bringen" = to shape up.
  15. 15Neutral
    Bis zum nächsten Mal.
    Say it like: bis tsoom NEKH-sten mahl
    See you next time.
    Register: A friendly goodbye.

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Quick answers

How do you book a haircut in German?

Say: "Ich möchte gern einen Termin vereinbaren." (I'd like to book an appointment.)

Should I use formal or informal German at the hairdresser or barber?

In Germany, "Sie" is the safe default at a hairdresser ("Friseur / Friseurin") or barber, though many younger stylists and barbers say "du" right away; follow what they use. "Bitte" and "danke" go a long way. Phrases only: this card gives no advice. Prices and booking rules differ between salons, so ask the salon.

How do I ask for a shorter cut on the sides in German?

Say: "An den Seiten etwas kürzer." (A little shorter on the sides.)

How do I ask for my beard to be tidied in German?

Say: "Können Sie meinen Bart in Form bringen?" (Can you tidy my beard?)

Hairdresser phrases in another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands Svenska

German, another errand

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How it works

  1. Pick the language of the country you live in.
  2. Read the phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. Native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Once you are settled, open Meet & Mint to find events near you and meet people who are also new. Or try a phrase card for tonight first.

firstphrases.app/survival/hairdresser-phrases/de/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint