In this workshop, you will practice speaking Japanese at a hair salon. You will learn how to ask for a haircut, say you have an appointment, ask if they are free today, and explain how much to cut. Each native example comes from a recording. Listen, repeat, and use the phrases in realistic situations. You do not need to invent new sentences; just use the recorded lines in the right order. This will help you feel more comfortable when you actually visit a salon in Japan.
Starting the Conversation
When you enter a salon, staff often greet you and ask if you have an appointment. You can respond with a polite request or confirm your booking. The phrase «カットをお願いします。» means 'A haircut, please.' Use it when you are ready to state what you want. If you have an appointment, say «予約があります。», which means 'I have an appointment.' This is a simple, clear answer. If you want to book a specific time, you can say «三時に予約したいです。», meaning 'I'd like to make an appointment for three o'clock.' For walk-ins, ask «今日は空いていますか。», which means 'Are you free today?' These phrases cover the first moments at the salon.
Checking In and Requesting a Cut
A common salon dialogue starts with the staff saying «いらっしゃいませ。ご予約はありますか。», which means 'Welcome. Do you have an appointment?' You can reply with «はい、予約があります。三時に予約しました。», meaning 'Yes, I have an appointment. I made a reservation for three o'clock.' Then the staff may ask «かしこまりました。今日はどのようにしますか。», 'Certainly. How would you like it today?' You can answer with «カットをお願いします。五センチくらい切ってください。», which means 'A haircut, please. Please cut about five centimeters.' Notice how «カットをお願いします。五センチくらい切ってください。» combines the request for a haircut with the amount to cut. This is a natural way to explain your desired length.
Polite Requests and Clarifications
In Japanese salons, politeness is important. The phrase «カットをお願いします。» is a standard polite request. When you say «予約があります。», you are stating a fact politely. If you need to ask about availability, «今日は空いていますか。» is a direct but polite question. To specify a time, «三時に予約したいです。» uses the '~tai desu' form to express desire. When you want to give a specific instruction like cutting length, «カットをお願いします。五センチくらい切ってください。» shows how to use '~senchi kurai' (about ~ centimeters) and '~kudasai' (please do). Practice these patterns so you can use them smoothly.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
カットをお願いします。
A haircut, please.
katto o onegai shimasu
予約があります。
I have an appointment.
yoyaku ga arimasu
三時に予約したいです。
I'd like to make an appointment for three o'clock.
sanji ni yoyaku shitai desu
今日は空いていますか。
Are you free today?
kyō wa aite imasu ka
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
いらっしゃいませ。ご予約はありますか。
Welcome. Do you have an appointment?はい、予約があります。三時に予約しました。
Yes, I have an appointment. I made a reservation for three o'clock.かしこまりました。今日はどのようにしますか。
Certainly. How would you like it today?カットをお願いします。五センチくらい切ってください。
A haircut, please. Please cut about five centimeters.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: At the Salon
You are at a salon. The staff greets you and asks if you have an appointment. You have a reservation for three o'clock. You want a haircut and to cut about five centimeters.
Your task: Play the role of the customer. Use the recordings to respond in order: first answer the appointment question with «はい、予約があります。三時に予約しました。», then state your request and the amount to cut with «カットをお願いします。五センチくらい切ってください。». You can listen to the recordings and repeat them aloud.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Response
You already have a salon appointment. Listen to the staff member’s question, then choose the reply that confirms your booking.
Your task: Listen to the recording of the staff asking «いらっしゃいませ。ご予約はありますか。». Then choose the correct customer reply from these two recorded options: (A) «予約があります。» or (B) «今日は空いていますか。». Say your choice aloud.
Recall and Role-Play: Full Salon Visit
You will now recall the entire salon conversation from memory. Imagine you are the customer. The staff will say their lines, and you respond with the correct phrases.
Your task: Without looking at the text, say the customer's lines in order: first respond to the greeting and appointment question with «はい、予約があります。三時に予約しました。», then answer how you want your hair done with «カットをお願いします。五センチくらい切ってください。». Use the recordings as a model.
Common questions
Do I need to memorize all the phrases before going to a salon?
No, you do not need to memorize everything. Focus on the key phrases for your situation. If you have an appointment, practice the appointment confirmation and the haircut request. If you are walking in, practice asking if they are free today. You can always show the recording or write it down if needed.
What if I want a different length than five centimeters?
The recorded example asks to cut about five centimeters. Practice it as a fictional request. For a real haircut, make the amount you want clear to the stylist; do not play this five-centimeter request if it describes a different amount from what you intend.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask for a haircutChecked September 2026
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