Guide To Getting A Haircut In Portuguese (Men & Women)

Heading to Portugal or Brazil and need a trim?

No worries. Getting a haircut in a foreign language is always an adventure, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to practice your Portuguese in a real-world situation (not to mention all the random chit-chat).

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essential Portuguese words and phrases you’ll need at the hairdresser or barber.

I’ll cover the basics, from booking your appointment to getting the exact style you want.

Essential Portuguese words for haircuts 💇

First things first, let’s get the most crucial vocabulary down.

How do you say “hair” and “haircut” in Portuguese?

The word for hair in Portuguese is cabelo. A “haircut” is a corte de cabelo.

These terms are standard in both Brazil and Portugal.

Basic Portuguese vocabulary for hair

Here are some of the most common ways to describe hair. You’ll notice that some terms differ between Brazil and Portugal.

Basic Portuguese phrases for haircuts

If you only learn a few phrases, make them these ones. Walking into a salon, you can start with:

Queria um corte de cabelo.

I would like a haircut.

Queria lavar o cabelo.

I'd like to wash my hair.

Você pode aparar meu cabelo? (Brazil) / Pode-me aparar o cabelo? (Portugal)

Could you trim my hair?

Eu gostaria de mudar meu penteado.

I would like to change my hairstyle.

Você pode pentear meu cabelo? (Brazil) / Pode-me pentear o cabelo? (Portugal)

Can you style my hair?

These simple requests will get you started.

Now, let’s get into more specific situations.

At the hairdresser’s or barber’s

Ok, so you’ve made it inside and made the first request.

Let’s look at the specific vocabulary for the place itself and the tools of the trade.

Portuguese terms for hair salons and barbershops

Verbs you’ll need for your haircut

Actions are key.

Here are some common verbs that are essential in a salon or barbershop setting.

Making a haircut appointment

Now that you have the vocabulary, the next step is booking your appointment.

Phrases for booking an appointment

Here are some useful phrases to get you started.

Olá, gostaria de marcar um corte de cabelo.

Hello, I'd like to make an appointment for a haircut.

Você tem horário para hoje/amanhã? (Brazil) / Tem vaga para hoje/amanhã? (Portugal)

Do you have any availability for today/tomorrow?

Até que horas vocês ficam abertos? (Brazil) / Até que horas estão abertos? (Portugal)

What time are you open until?

Eu poderia ir na [day] às [time]? (Brazil) / Podia ir na [day] às [time]? (Portugal)

Could I come in on [day] at [time]?

Explaining how you want your hair done

This is the important part.

You need to clearly explain what you want to avoid any surprises.

Length and style preferences

Be specific about the length and style you’re going for.

Só para aparar as pontas, por favor.

Just a trim, please.

Quero manter o comprimento.

I want to keep the length.

Um pouco mais curto dos lados e atrás.

A little shorter on the sides and back.

Eu queria um corte em camadas. / Queria um corte escadeado.

I'd like layers.

Eu quero um degradê. (Brazil) / Queria um corte disfarçado. (Portugal)

I want a fade.

Pode usar a máquina, número [2].

Use the clippers, number [2].

Eu quero franja. (Brazil) / Quero franja. (Portugal)

I want bangs.

Specific requests for coloring and treatments

If you’re looking for more than just a cut, here are some phrases that might help.

Gostaria de pintar o meu cabelo.

I'd like to dye my hair.

Só quero retocar a raiz.

I just want to touch up my roots.

Eu gostaria de fazer luzes/madeixas. (Brazil) / Gostaria de fazer madeixas. (Portugal)

I would like highlights.

Sample dialogues

Now put it all together.

Here are a few mini-dialogues to show you how a conversation might flow.

Conversation 1: Making an appointment

Olá, gostaria de marcar um corte de cabelo.

Hello, I'd like to make an appointment for a haircut.

Claro, para quando?

Sure, for when?

Você tem horário para hoje à tarde?

Do you have any availability this afternoon?

Tenho às quatro horas. Pode ser?

I have an opening at 4 o'clock. Does that work?

Perfeito, até lá.

Perfect, see you then.

Até lá!

See you then!

Conversation 2: Describing the haircut

Então, o que vamos fazer hoje?

So, what are we doing today?

Queria cortar, mas não muito curto. Só aparar as pontas e fazer umas camadas leves.

I'd like to cut it short, but not too short. Just trim the ends and add some light layers.

Ok, e à frente?

Okay, and what about the front?

Pode cortar uma franja, por favor?

Can you cut some bangs, please?

Dealing with haircut problems

What if it doesn’t turn out quite right?

It’s important to know how to express this politely.

Expressing dissatisfaction

If you’re not happy with the result, here’s how you can say it.

Ficou um pouco curto demais.

It's a bit too short.

Não era bem isto que eu queria.

It's not exactly what I wanted.

Acho que está torto aqui. / Acho que está desigual aqui.

I think it's uneven here.

Asking for adjustments

A small fix can make all the difference.

Você pode arrumar esta parte? (Brazil) / Pode-me arranjar esta parte? (Portugal)

Could you fix this part?

Pode cortar só mais um pouco aqui?

Can you cut a little more here?

Getting a haircut is one of my favorite in-country, language learning experiences.

Turn it into a productive language practice session. Barbers and hairdressers are often chatty, making it a golden opportunity to have a real conversation with a native speaker about literally anything.

You’re in that chair anyway, so you might as well use the time to improve your Portuguese.

And since you’re sitting in a chair with the focus on you, hairdressers tend to slow down to understand you and make themselves understood.

Good luck, and if I missed anything important, drop a comment below.

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