Portuguese · Shopping & services · Elementary

How to ask for a haircut in Portuguese

Book with “Posso marcar uma hora?” or ask “Atendem sem marcação?”. In the chair, say “Queria cortar o cabelo, por favor”, then be precise: “Só aparar, por favor” or “Pode tirar só um pouco dos lados?”. When you’re happy, “Está ótimo, agradeço”.

Try it · about two minutes

You call in at a hairdresser’s without a booking and explain exactly how much to take off.

You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

The conversation

Hairdresser
Tem marcação?
Do you have an appointment?
You
Atendem sem marcação?
Do you take walk-ins?
Hairdresser
Quer um café enquanto espera?
Would you like a coffee while you wait?
You
Sim, por favor.
Yes, please.
Hairdresser
Sente-se, por favor.
Take a seat, please.
You
Queria cortar o cabelo, por favor.
I’d like a haircut, please.
Hairdresser
A água está demasiado quente?
Is the water too hot?
You
Não, assim está bem.
No, it’s fine like this.
Hairdresser
Quanto é que quer cortar?
How much would you like off?
You
Só aparar, por favor.
Just a trim, please.
The hairdresser holds up a mirror behind your head.
You
Está ótimo, agradeço.
It looks great, thank you.

Key phrases

Posso marcar uma hora?
Can I book an appointment?
Atendem sem marcação?
Do you take walk-ins?
Queria cortar o cabelo, por favor.
I’d like a haircut, please.
Queria cortar e fazer brushing.
I’d like a cut and a blow-dry.
Só aparar, por favor.
Just a trim, please.
Não muito curto, por favor.
Not too short, please.
Pode tirar só um pouco dos lados?
Can you take just a little off the sides?
Queria o cabelo mais curto em cima.
I’d like it shorter on top.
Pode fazer igual à última vez?
Can you do the same as last time?
Está ótimo, agradeço.
It looks great, thank you.

Good to know in Portugal

How it usually goes

1
Book by phone or message, or call in and ask if they take walk-ins.
Posso marcar uma hora?Can I book an appointment?
2
Many salons wash your hair first, then cut.
3
Check the back in the mirror, and say if you’d like more off.
Está ótimo, agradeço.It looks great, thank you.

Cabeleireiro or barbearia

A cabeleireiro is a hair salon for anyone. A barbearia is a barber’s, usually for short cuts and beards.

Show a photo

If words fail you, show a photo on your phone. Hairdressers are used to it, and it saves guessing.

More situations in Portuguese

All situations in Portuguese

Keep these phrases in Frasa

Frasa is an iPhone app for the conversations in front of you. Save phrases like these, rehearse them out loud, and they come back until they stick.

Download on the App Store (opens the App Store in a new tab)

AI-generated. May be inaccurate.