First Phrases

Hairdresser phrases · Français

Hairdresser phrases in French: 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: Polite (formal is safer). In France, say "Bonjour" first and use "vous" with a hairdresser ("coiffeur / coiffeuse") or barber ("barbier") you do not know. Staff often use "vous" too; "tu" appears in casual barbershops once they use it first. Phrases only: this card gives no advice. Prices and booking rules differ between salons, so ask the salon.

How to read the sounds: Say the vowel through your nose where you see n/m after it (on, an, in); don't sound the n. r is a soft throat sound. Final consonants are mostly silent. Stress falls on the last syllable and is marked in CAPITALS.

Your recording stays on your device.

15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Polite
    Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous.
    Say it like: zhuh voo-DREH PRAHN-druh rahn-day-VOO
    I'd like to book an appointment.
    Register: Start with 'Bonjour'. 'Prendre rendez-vous' = to book.
  2. 02Polite
    Vous avez de la place aujourd'hui ?
    Say it like: voo-zah-VAY duh lah PLAHSS oh-zhoor-DWEE
    Do you have time today?
    Register: "De la place" = room, a free slot.
  3. 03Polite
    Juste rafraîchir les pointes, s'il vous plaît.
    Say it like: zhoost rah-freh-SHEER lay PWANT, seel voo PLEH
    Just a trim, please.
    Register: "Rafraîchir les pointes" = freshen up the ends.
  4. 04Neutral
    Un peu plus court sur les côtés.
    Say it like: uhn puh plu koor sur lay koh-TAY
    A little shorter on the sides.
    Register: "Sur les côtés" = on the sides.
  5. 05Polite
    Pas trop court, s'il vous plaît.
    Say it like: pah troh koor, seel voo PLEH
    Not too short, please.
    Register: Say it early.
  6. 06Neutral
    Comme sur cette photo.
    Say it like: kom sur set foh-TOH
    Like in this photo.
    Register: Show the photo.
  7. 07Polite
    Vous pouvez aussi me faire un shampoing ?
    Say it like: voo poo-VAY oh-SEE muh fair uhn shahm-PWAN
    Can you wash it too?
    Register: "Shampoing" = shampoo / wash.
  8. 08Neutral
    Sans produit, merci.
    Say it like: sahn proh-DWEE, mair-SEE
    No product, thanks.
    Register: Said when they offer styling products.
  9. 09Neutral
    C'est combien ?
    Say it like: seh kom-BYAN
    How much is it?
    Register: Normal at the till.
  10. 10Neutral
    Je peux payer par carte ?
    Say it like: zhuh puh pay-YAY par KART
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: Ask before you start in small salons.
  11. 11Neutral
    C'est parfait, merci.
    Say it like: seh par-FEH, mair-SEE
    That's perfect, thank you.
    Register: Said when you like the result.
  12. 12Neutral
    Encore un peu plus court sur le dessus.
    Say it like: ahn-KOR uhn puh plu koor sur luh duh-SU
    A bit more off the top.
    Register: "Le dessus" = the top.
  13. 13Polite
    Je voudrais garder la longueur.
    Say it like: zhuh voo-DREH gar-DAY lah lohn-GUR
    I'd like to keep the length.
    Register: "Garder" = to keep.
  14. 14Polite
    Vous pouvez me tailler la barbe ?
    Say it like: voo poo-VAY muh tie-YAY lah BARB
    Can you tidy my beard?
    Register: "Tailler la barbe" = to trim the beard.
  15. 15Neutral
    À la prochaine.
    Say it like: ah lah proh-SHEN
    See you next time.
    Register: A friendly goodbye.

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Quick answers

How do you book a haircut in French?

Say: "Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous." (I'd like to book an appointment.)

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

In France, say "Bonjour" first and use "vous" with a hairdresser ("coiffeur / coiffeuse") or barber ("barbier") you do not know. Staff often use "vous" too; "tu" appears in casual barbershops once they use it first. 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 French?

Say: "Un peu plus court sur les côtés." (A little shorter on the sides.)

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

Say: "Vous pouvez me tailler la barbe ?" (Can you tidy my beard?)

Hairdresser phrases in another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands Svenska

French, 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/fr/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint