First Phrases

Hairdresser phrases · Italiano

Hairdresser phrases in Italian: 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.

Review pending: native-speaker review of this card has not happened yet, and the phrases marked "check" are the ones we are least sure of. Use them as a starting point and let the person you speak to correct you.

Register: Neutral. In Italy, "Lei" (formal) is the safe default at a "parrucchiere" or "barbiere" you do not know; "tu" is common in friendly neighbourhood barbershops and with younger staff. Greet with "buongiorno" and finish with "grazie". Phrases only: this card gives no advice. Prices and booking rules differ between salons, so ask the salon.

How to read the sounds: Italian is spoken as written. Double consonants (tt, ll, zz) are held longer. c before e/i = ch, g before e/i = j, gn = ny, gli = ly, sc before e/i = sh. Stress is in CAPITALS.

Your recording stays on your device.

15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Polite
    Vorrei prenotare un appuntamento.
    Say it like: vor-RAY preh-noh-TAH-reh oon ap-poon-tah-MEN-toh
    I'd like to book an appointment.
    Register: 'Prenotare' = to book.
  2. 02Polite
    Ha posto oggi?
    Say it like: ah POH-stoh OHD-jee
    Do you have time today?
    Register: "Ha posto?" = do you have a free slot?
  3. 03Neutralcheck
    Solo una spuntatina, per favore.
    Say it like: SOH-loh OO-nah spoon-tah-TEE-nah, per fah-VOH-reh
    Just a trim, please.
    Register: "Spuntatina" = a light trim of the ends.
  4. 04Neutral
    Un po' più corto ai lati.
    Say it like: oon poh pyoo KOR-toh eye LAH-tee
    A little shorter on the sides.
    Register: "Ai lati" = at the sides.
  5. 05Neutral
    Non troppo corto, per favore.
    Say it like: non TROP-poh KOR-toh, per fah-VOH-reh
    Not too short, please.
    Register: Say it early.
  6. 06Neutral
    Come in questa foto.
    Say it like: KOH-meh in KWEH-stah FOH-toh
    Like in this photo.
    Register: Show the photo.
  7. 07Polite
    Può lavarmi anche i capelli?
    Say it like: pwoh lah-VAR-mee AN-keh ee kah-PEL-lee
    Can you wash it too?
    Register: "Lavare" = to wash; "i capelli" = the hair.
  8. 08Neutral
    Senza prodotti, grazie.
    Say it like: SEN-tsah pro-DOT-tee, GRAH-tsyeh
    No product, thanks.
    Register: Said when they offer styling products.
  9. 09Neutral
    Quanto costa?
    Say it like: KWAN-toh KOS-tah
    How much is it?
    Register: Normal at the till.
  10. 10Neutral
    Posso pagare con la carta?
    Say it like: POS-soh pah-GAH-reh kon lah KAR-tah
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: Ask first in small shops.
  11. 11Neutral
    È perfetto, grazie.
    Say it like: eh per-FET-toh, GRAH-tsyeh
    That's perfect, thank you.
    Register: Said when you like the result.
  12. 12Neutral
    Ancora un po' più corto sopra.
    Say it like: an-KOH-rah oon poh pyoo KOR-toh SOH-prah
    A bit more off the top.
    Register: "Sopra" = on top.
  13. 13Polite
    Vorrei mantenere la lunghezza.
    Say it like: vor-RAY man-teh-NEH-reh lah loon-GET-tsah
    I'd like to keep the length.
    Register: "Mantenere" = to keep.
  14. 14Polite
    Può sistemarmi la barba?
    Say it like: pwoh sees-teh-MAR-mee lah BAR-bah
    Can you tidy my beard?
    Register: "Sistemare" = to tidy up.
  15. 15Neutral
    Alla prossima.
    Say it like: AL-lah PROS-see-mah
    See you next time.
    Register: A friendly goodbye.

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Quick answers

How do you book a haircut in Italian?

Say: "Vorrei prenotare un appuntamento." (I'd like to book an appointment.)

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

In Italy, "Lei" (formal) is the safe default at a "parrucchiere" or "barbiere" you do not know; "tu" is common in friendly neighbourhood barbershops and with younger staff. Greet with "buongiorno" and finish with "grazie". 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 Italian?

Say: "Un po' più corto ai lati." (A little shorter on the sides.)

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

Say: "Può sistemarmi la barba?" (Can you tidy my beard?)

Hairdresser phrases in another language

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