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At a hair salon, begin with the service: カットをお願いします (“A haircut, please”). Show a reference image, point to a physical length, and say how much to cut. Confirm the front, sides, back, and finishing choice before the stylist begins. A photo is a direction reference, not a guarantee of an identical result.
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Show the length, not only the style name
Leo says only that he wants it short and puts away his reference photo.
Leo短くしてください。
Please make it short.
The stylist shows two very different lengths and asks where the hair should end.
Stylistこのくらいですか。
About this much?
Leo shows the photo and indicates three centimeters with his fingers.
Leoこの写真のように、三センチぐらい切ってください。
Like this photo; please cut about three centimeters.
He confirms the fringe and neckline before the cut starts.
Leo前髪は眉の下、後ろはこの位置ですね。
The fringe below my eyebrows, and the back at this point, right?
Dialogue remains selectable HTML. The illustrations contain no dependable generated text.
State the service and appointment
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
カットをお願いします | katto o onegai shimasu | A haircut, please | State the service |
予約しています | yoyaku shite imasu | I have an appointment | Give the booking name and time |
カットだけです | katto dake desu | Haircut only | Decline additional services clearly |
料金を先に確認したいです | ryōkin o saki ni kakunin shitai desu | I would like to confirm the price first | Ask before agreeing |
If shampoo, styling, coloring, or treatment is mentioned, ask whether it is included and whether you want it.
Use a reference and measurable length
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
この写真のようにしてください | kono shashin no yō ni shite kudasai | Please make it like this photo | Use as a reference |
三センチぐらい切ってください | san-senchi gurai kitte kudasai | Please cut about three centimeters | Give a measurable amount |
肩につく長さにしてください | kata ni tsuku nagasa ni shite kudasai | Please make it long enough to touch my shoulders | Use a body reference |
長さは変えないでください | nagasa wa kaenaide kudasai | Please do not change the length | Request shaping without length change |
“Short,” “light,” and “natural” are subjective. Combine the word with a photo, fingers, shoulders, ears, eyebrows, or another visible reference.
Confirm front, sides, and back
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
前髪は眉の下でお願いします | maegami wa mayu no shita de onegai shimasu | Keep the fringe below my eyebrows | Set a visible endpoint |
耳は出しますか | mimi wa dashimasu ka | Do you want the ears exposed? | A likely stylist question |
横はあまり短くしないでください | yoko wa amari mijikaku shinaide kudasai | Please do not make the sides too short | Add a visible minimum |
後ろはこの位置でお願いします | ushiro wa kono ichi de onegai shimasu | The back at this position, please | Point in the mirror |
Repeat the stylist’s summary. If you cannot see the back, ask for a mirror before the irreversible cut.
Discuss texture and finishing without overpromising
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
少し軽くしてください | sukoshi karuku shite kudasai | Please make it a little lighter | Ask the stylist what that will change |
量はあまり減らさないでください | ryō wa amari herasanaide kudasai | Please do not reduce the volume much | Set a boundary |
普段のセット方法を教えてください | fudan no setto hōhō o oshiete kudasai | Please show me how to style it normally | Ask for routine finishing |
整髪料は使わないでください | seihatsuryō wa tsukawanaide kudasai | Please do not use styling product | State a preference or sensitivity |
Tell the stylist about allergies, skin sensitivity, previous chemical treatment, or anything affecting a proposed product. For color, bleach, perm, or medical scalp concerns, a separate detailed consultation is needed; this lesson owns a basic haircut.
Check during and after the cut
Use もう少し短くできますか (“Can you make it a little shorter?”) only after pointing to the area. To stop and clarify, say 一度、確認してもいいですか (“May I check once?”). At the end, look at the front, sides, and back before agreeing that the haircut is complete.
Confirm the haircut before the first cut
- State the service and confirm included extras and price.
- Combine a photo with a measurable length.
- Confirm front, sides, and back before cutting.
- Check product preferences and inspect the result before leaving.
Reuse service-detail confirmation at the cleaning counter
Both a salon and a dry cleaner need the item, requested result, limits, price, and collection or completion point made explicit. Practice the garment handoff next, then use return language only when the completed service creates a separate problem.
- Leave a garment for cleaning and confirm collection
- Explain a purchase problem and understand the response
How do you ask for a haircut in Japanese?
Say カットをお願いします (“A haircut, please”) and mention a booking with 予約しています. If you want no extra services, state カットだけです, and confirm the cost before agreeing with 料金を先に確認したいです. If shampoo, coloring, or treatment is offered, ask whether it is included before accepting.
How do you tell a stylist how much to cut in Japanese?
“Short” or “natural” alone is subjective, so pair the request with something visible. Give a measurable amount with 三センチぐらい切ってください, show a photo with この写真のようにしてください, use a body reference such as 肩につく長さにしてください, or protect the current length with 長さは変えないでください.
Street Check · 1–3 minutes
Try the real-world task
Agree on one basic haircut request with the stylist.
Ready means:
- I can state the service I want.
- I can show a visual reference and indicate length.
- I can respond to the stylist's confirmation.
Build the route
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