Stepping into a Korean hair salon can feel both exciting and intimidating at the same time.
If you’re planning a trip to Korea and thinking about getting a haircut while you’re here, you’re not alone — more and more travelers now include K-beauty salon visits as part of their itinerary. Many of my friends living abroad often ask me, “Which hair salon in Seoul should I go to?”
But the next question almost always follows:
“How do I explain what I want… in Korean?”
Even after making a reservation, many travelers worry about the language barrier, unsure whether their desired style will come across clearly. And they’re right — Korean has many ways to express the same idea, which can feel confusing if you’re not familiar with the language.
The good news? You don’t need perfect Korean.
The Korean Hair Salon Phrases in this guide are expressions Koreans actually use at hair salons — authentic, local phrases you won’t find in translation apps. Once you learn these, you’ll feel much more confident communicating your style to your stylist.
“다듬어 주세요” — Just a Trim, Please
The first and most essential phrase to remember is “다듬어 주세요” — a request to tidy up the shape without taking off too much length. Koreans use this phrase constantly, so every stylist immediately understands what you mean.
Here’s a tip I personally use:
Give your stylist a time-based reference.
For example — “Please trim about one month’s growth.”
Pro Tip: Telling a stylist to ‘cut about one month’s worth of growth’ (한 달 정도 자란 만큼만 잘라주세요) is much more effective than saying ‘1 centimeter,’ as it gives them a clear visual standard based on your hair’s natural cycle.
Because hair grows at a fairly similar speed for most people, stylists in Korea find this incredibly helpful for judging the exact amount to cut.
Korean: 다듬어만 주세요
Pronunciation: Da-deum-eo-man ju-se-yo
Meaning: “Just a trim, please.”
“숱 쳐주세요” — Please Thin Out My Hair
This phrase is all about texture.
“숱 쳐주세요” means you want to reduce volume while keeping the length the same — ideal for thick, frizzy, or wavy hair.
At Korean salons, stylists typically use thinning scissors and begin cutting from the middle section of your hair. If it’s your first time, you might feel a little nervous watching them cut the mid-lengths, thinking, “Isn’t my hair getting too short?”
Don’t worry — thinning scissors have a special toothed blade, so the length barely changes; only excess weight is removed. In Korean hair trends, this is known as ‘Texture Volume Control.’ It makes your hair feel significantly lighter and easier to style without losing the overall length you’ve worked hard to grow.
One thing to keep in mind:
If your hair is too short or too thin already, your stylist may say,
“It’s better not to thin it out this time.”
This prevents your hair from looking empty or uneven.
For those with fluffy or unruly hair, simply thinning out the volume can make a dramatic difference.
Korean: 숱 쳐주세요
Pronunciation: Sut chyeo-ju-se-yo
Meaning: “Please thin out my hair.” / “Remove some weight.”
“층 내주세요” — Please Add Layers
One of the most popular phrases among women at Korean salons is “층 내주세요”, meaning you want layers.
Layers add shape, movement, and natural volume, making your face line look softer. They also create a subtle small-face illusion, which is why the style is so beloved in Korea.
A representative example?
The Korean layered cut.
It’s frequently worn by major Korean celebrities such as
- Suzy,
- Han So-hee, and
- IU.
If you show one of their photos to your stylist, they’ll immediately understand the vibe you’re aiming for — soft, airy, and elegantly feminine.
Korean: 층 내주세요 (or 레이어드 컷 해주세요)
Pronunciation: Cheung nae-ju-se-yo
Meaning: “Please add layers.”
“앞머리 내고 싶어요” — I Want to Get Bangs
The final expression is “앞머리 내고 싶어요,” used when you want to create bangs that you didn’t have before. This is a very common request in Korea, especially among women looking for a light style change.
Because there are so many types of bangs, Korean stylists will usually ask,
“What kind of bangs do you want?”
Popular options include:
- See-through bangs
- Side bangs
- Full bangs
The truth is — it’s much easier to show a picture than to explain verbally.
Also try to mention the exact length you prefer:
“Below the eyebrows,” “Covering the eyes slightly,” and so on.
If you search “여자 앞머리 종류” on Naver, you’ll see hundreds of photos that can help you choose. Just screenshot your favorites and show them to your stylist — it works every time.
Korean: 앞머리 내고 싶어요
Pronunciation: Ap-meo-ri nae-go si-peo-yo
Meaning: “I want to get bangs.”
Final Thoughts
These essential Korean Hair Salon Phrases will help you navigate Korean salons with confidence. Even knowing just these four expressions can make your experience smoother and help you achieve the look you want.
But here’s the most important tip:
The strongest communication tool at any Korean salon isn’t a phrase — it’s a photo.
Don’t hesitate to show a picture of a celebrity or influencer. Stylists in Korea genuinely appreciate it because it gives them clear direction. If your hair type makes a particular style difficult, they’ll offer alternatives, so it’s smart to bring two or three reference photos with slightly different vibes.
With the right phrases — and the right photos — your Korean salon visit will be a memorable part of your trip.
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