First Phrases

Hairdresser phrases · Español

Hairdresser phrases in Spanish: 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. At a "peluquería" or "barbería" in Spain, "usted" is the safe default with someone you do not know, but "tú" is very common in barbershops and with younger staff, and nobody minds either. Say "hola" first and keep "por favor" and "gracias" close. Phrases only: this card gives no advice. Prices and booking rules differ between salons, so ask the salon.

How to read the sounds: Spanish is mostly read as written. In Spain, c before e/i and z sound like English th. h is silent. ñ = ny. rr is rolled. Stress is marked in CAPITALS.

Your recording stays on your device.

15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Quisiera pedir cita.
    Say it like: kee-SYEH-rah peh-DEER THEE-tah
    I'd like to book an appointment.
    Register: "Pedir cita" = to book an appointment. By phone or at the desk.
  2. 02Neutral
    ¿Tiene hueco hoy?
    Say it like: TYEH-neh WEH-koh oy
    Do you have time today?
    Register: "Hueco" = a free slot. Walk-ins are common in barbershops.
  3. 03Neutral
    Solo despuntar un poco, por favor.
    Say it like: SOH-loh des-poon-TAR oon POH-koh, por fah-BOR
    Just a trim, please.
    Register: "Despuntar" = to trim the ends only.
  4. 04Neutral
    Un poco más corto a los lados.
    Say it like: oon POH-koh mas KOR-toh ah los LAH-dos
    A little shorter on the sides.
    Register: "Los lados" = the sides.
  5. 05Neutral
    No muy corto, por favor.
    Say it like: noh mwee KOR-toh, por fah-BOR
    Not too short, please.
    Register: Say it early, so the cut does not go too short.
  6. 06Neutral
    Como en esta foto.
    Say it like: KOH-moh en ES-tah FOH-toh
    Like in this photo.
    Register: Show the photo on your phone as you say it.
  7. 07Neutral
    ¿Me lo puede lavar también?
    Say it like: meh loh PWEH-deh lah-BAR tam-BYEN
    Can you wash it too?
    Register: "Lavar" = to wash. Here "lo" stands for the hair.
  8. 08Neutral
    Sin productos, gracias.
    Say it like: seen pro-DOOK-tos, GRAH-thyas
    No product, thanks.
    Register: Said when they offer gel, wax or spray.
  9. 09Neutral
    ¿Cuánto es?
    Say it like: KWAN-toh es
    How much is it?
    Register: Short and normal at the till.
  10. 10Neutral
    ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?
    Say it like: PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: Worth asking first in small shops.
  11. 11Neutral
    Está perfecto, gracias.
    Say it like: es-TAH per-FEK-toh, GRAH-thyas
    That's perfect, thank you.
    Register: Said when you like the result.
  12. 12Neutral
    Un poco más corto arriba.
    Say it like: oon POH-koh mas KOR-toh ah-RREE-bah
    A bit more off the top.
    Register: "Arriba" = on top.
  13. 13Neutral
    Quiero mantener el largo.
    Say it like: KYEH-roh man-teh-NER el LAR-goh
    I'd like to keep the length.
    Register: "Mantener" = to keep; "el largo" = the length.
  14. 14Neutral
    ¿Me arregla la barba, por favor?
    Say it like: meh ah-RREH-glah lah BAR-bah, por fah-BOR
    Can you tidy my beard?
    Register: "Arreglar" = to tidy up. Asks the barber to shape the beard.
  15. 15Neutral
    Hasta la próxima.
    Say it like: AS-tah lah PROK-see-mah
    See you next time.
    Register: A friendly goodbye, 'until next time'.

New in town?

More tools for people who just moved: converters, checklists and country guides.

Open Newcomer Kit

Quick answers

How do you book a haircut in Spanish?

Say: "Quisiera pedir cita." (I'd like to book an appointment.)

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

At a "peluquería" or "barbería" in Spain, "usted" is the safe default with someone you do not know, but "tú" is very common in barbershops and with younger staff, and nobody minds either. Say "hola" first and keep "por favor" and "gracias" close. 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 Spanish?

Say: "Un poco más corto a los lados." (A little shorter on the sides.)

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

Say: "¿Me arregla la barba, por favor?" (Can you tidy my beard?)

Hairdresser phrases in another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands Svenska

Spanish, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat Christmas market Post office and parcels Registering at the town hall

All survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

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/es/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint