First Phrases

Hairdresser phrases · Nederlands

Hairdresser phrases in Dutch: 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 the Netherlands, "u" is polite, but at a "kapper" or "barbier" "je" is very common and relaxed; both are fine, and many stylists use "je" with you straight away. Add "graag" or "alstublieft" to sound friendly. Phrases only: this card gives no advice. Prices and booking rules differ between salons, so ask the salon.

How to read the sounds: g and ch are a rough throat sound, written kh (like Scottish 'loch'), stronger than English h. ou/ui = 'ow'; ij/ei = 'ay' (as in 'say'); eu = a rounded 'uh' (like French 'peu'); uu = 'ew' (say 'ee' with rounded lips); oe = 'oo'. Stress is in CAPITALS.

Your recording stays on your device.

15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Ik wil graag een afspraak maken.
    Say it like: ik vil khraakh un AF-sprahk MAH-ken
    I'd like to book an appointment.
    Register: 'Een afspraak maken' = to make an appointment.
  2. 02Polite
    Heeft u vandaag nog tijd?
    Say it like: hayft ew van-DAKH nokh tayt
    Do you have time today?
    Register: Use 'heb je' for the casual form.
  3. 03Neutral
    Alleen even bijknippen, graag.
    Say it like: AL-layn AY-ven BAY-knip-pen khraakh
    Just a trim, please.
    Register: "Bijknippen" = a light trim.
  4. 04Neutral
    Aan de zijkanten iets korter.
    Say it like: ahn duh ZAY-kan-ten eets KOR-ter
    A little shorter on the sides.
    Register: "Zijkanten" = sides.
  5. 05Neutral
    Niet te kort, graag.
    Say it like: neet tuh kort, khraakh
    Not too short, please.
    Register: Say it early.
  6. 06Neutral
    Zoals op deze foto.
    Say it like: ZOH-als op DAY-zuh foh-TOH
    Like in this photo.
    Register: Show the photo.
  7. 07Polite
    Kunt u mijn haar ook wassen?
    Say it like: kunt ew mayn hahr oak VAS-sen
    Can you wash it too?
    Register: "Wassen" = to wash.
  8. 08Neutral
    Zonder producten, bedankt.
    Say it like: ZON-der proh-DUK-ten, buh-DANKT
    No product, thanks.
    Register: Said when they offer styling products.
  9. 09Neutral
    Hoeveel kost het?
    Say it like: hoo-VAYL kost het
    How much is it?
    Register: Normal at the till.
  10. 10Neutral
    Kan ik met pin betalen?
    Say it like: kan ik met pin buh-TAH-len
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: "Pinnen" = paying by debit card, the usual way in the Netherlands.
  11. 11Polite
    Het is perfect, dank u.
    Say it like: het is per-FEKT, dahnk ew
    That's perfect, thank you.
    Register: Said when you like the result.
  12. 12Neutral
    Bovenop nog iets korter.
    Say it like: BOH-ven-op nokh eets KOR-ter
    A bit more off the top.
    Register: "Bovenop" = on top.
  13. 13Neutral
    Ik wil de lengte houden.
    Say it like: ik vil duh LENG-te HOW-den
    I'd like to keep the length.
    Register: "Houden" = to keep.
  14. 14Polite
    Kunt u mijn baard bijwerken?
    Say it like: kunt ew mayn bahrt BAY-wer-ken
    Can you tidy my beard?
    Register: "Bijwerken" = to touch up.
  15. 15Neutral
    Tot de volgende keer.
    Say it like: tot duh VOL-khen-duh kayr
    See you next time.
    Register: A friendly goodbye.

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Quick answers

How do you book a haircut in Dutch?

Say: "Ik wil graag een afspraak maken." (I'd like to book an appointment.)

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

In the Netherlands, "u" is polite, but at a "kapper" or "barbier" "je" is very common and relaxed; both are fine, and many stylists use "je" with you straight away. Add "graag" or "alstublieft" to sound friendly. 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 Dutch?

Say: "Aan de zijkanten iets korter." (A little shorter on the sides.)

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

Say: "Kunt u mijn baard bijwerken?" (Can you tidy my beard?)

Hairdresser phrases in another language

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Dutch, 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/nl/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint