In this workshop, you will practice the key phrases for getting a haircut in Spanish. You will learn how to make a polite request, ask about appointments, and respond when you do not have one. The focus is on speaking clearly and listening for the other person's question. You will use the provided recordings to hear native pronunciation and then try the phrases yourself. By the end, you should feel ready to handle a simple salon conversation.
Making a Polite Request
The most important phrase is a polite way to say what you want. In a salon, you can use a softened request instead of a direct demand. Listen to the recording and repeat: «Quisiera un corte de pelo, por favor.». This means 'I'd like a haircut, please.' The word 'Quisiera' is a polite form of 'I want' and works well with strangers. After greeting the person, you can say this request. Practice saying it slowly, then at a natural speed. Pay attention to the pronunciation of 'corte de pelo' — it means 'haircut' literally 'cut of hair.'
Understanding the Appointment Question
After your request, the staff will often ask if you have an appointment. You will hear: «¿Tiene cita?». This means 'Do you have an appointment?' The verb 'tiene' is the polite 'you' form, so it is formal but friendly. If you do have an appointment, you can answer with a specific time. For example, listen to: «Sí, tengo cita a las tres.». This means 'Yes, I have an appointment at three.' Notice that for clock times, Spanish uses 'a las' before the number. If you do not have an appointment, you can say: «No, no tengo cita. ¿Atienden sin cita?». This means 'No, I don't have an appointment. Do you take walk-ins?' The question '¿Atienden sin cita?' asks if they serve people without an appointment. Practice both answers so you can respond quickly.
Putting It Together in a Conversation
Now you will hear a short dialogue between a staff member (A) and a customer (B). The staff member greets and offers help: «Buenos días. ¿En qué le puedo ayudar?». This means 'Good morning. How can I help you?' The customer responds with the polite request: «Buenos días. Quisiera un corte de pelo, por favor.». This means 'Good morning. I'd like a haircut, please.' Then the staff member asks about an appointment: «Claro. ¿Tiene cita?». This means 'Of course. Do you have an appointment?' Finally, the customer says they do not have one and asks about walk-ins: «No, no tengo cita. ¿Atienden sin cita?». This means 'No, I don't have an appointment. Do you take walk-ins?' Listen to the whole dialogue, then practice each line. You can play both roles: first as the customer, then as the staff member. Focus on clear pronunciation and polite tone.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Quisiera un corte de pelo, por favor.
I'd like a haircut, please.
kee-SYEH-rah oon KOR-teh deh PEH-loh, por fah-BOR
¿Tiene cita?
Do you have an appointment?
TYEH-neh SEE-tah
Sí, tengo cita a las tres.
Yes, I have an appointment at three.
see, TEN-goh SEE-tah ah las tres
No, no tengo cita. ¿Atienden sin cita?
No, I don't have an appointment. Do you take walk-ins?
noh, noh TEN-goh SEE-tah. ah-TYEN-den seen SEE-tah
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Buenos días. ¿En qué le puedo ayudar?
Good morning. How can I help you?Buenos días. Quisiera un corte de pelo, por favor.
Good morning. I'd like a haircut, please.Claro. ¿Tiene cita?
Of course. Do you have an appointment?No, no tengo cita. ¿Atienden sin cita?
No, I don't have an appointment. Do you take walk-ins?Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Request a Haircut
Imagine you walk into a salon in the morning. The staff member greets you and asks how they can help. You need to make a polite request for a haircut.
Your task: Listen to the staff greeting: «Buenos días. ¿En qué le puedo ayudar?». Then respond with the polite request you learned. Use the recording «Quisiera un corte de pelo, por favor.» as your model. Say your line out loud. Then check your answer below.
Reply Comprehension: Appointment or Walk-in?
You are at the salon and the staff member asks you a question. You need to understand whether they are asking about an appointment and choose the correct response.
Your task: Listen to the question: «¿Tiene cita?». Does it ask if you have an appointment or if you want a haircut? Then choose the correct answer for your situation: if you have an appointment at three, say «Sí, tengo cita a las tres.»; if you do not have an appointment, say «No, no tengo cita. ¿Atienden sin cita?». Say your chosen answer out loud.
Recall and Role-Play: Full Dialogue
You will now practice the full salon conversation. You can play both the staff member and the customer. Use the recordings to guide you.
Your task: First, play the customer. The staff member says «Buenos días. ¿En qué le puedo ayudar?». You respond with «Buenos días. Quisiera un corte de pelo, por favor.». The staff member asks «Claro. ¿Tiene cita?». You answer with «No, no tengo cita. ¿Atienden sin cita?». Say all your lines out loud. Then switch roles: play the staff member and say «Buenos días. ¿En qué le puedo ayudar?» and «Claro. ¿Tiene cita?» while a partner (or you) says the customer lines.
Common questions
What if I don't have an appointment?
You can say «No, no tengo cita. ¿Atienden sin cita?». This means 'No, I don't have an appointment. Do you take walk-ins?' It politely asks if they can serve you without an appointment. Practice saying it so you are ready.
How do I say I have an appointment at a specific time?
Use the recorded example «Sí, tengo cita a las tres.». This means 'Yes, I have an appointment at three.' For this workshop, practice the supplied recorded time rather than inventing a new time phrase.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: ask for a haircutChecked September 2026
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