Portuguese at a Brazilian Hair Salon: Describe the Cut You Want
A photo helps, but a few clear phrases can make a haircut appointment in Brazil easier to navigate from the first question to the final check.
Real Life Portuguese · 7 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Start with the service you want: cortar o cabelo (get a haircut), fazer escova (get a blowout), pintar or tingir o cabelo (color your hair). Brazilian salons often use cortar as a general service, so explain the length or style when you arrive. Ask about an available time before assuming the appointment is confirmed.
Book the service and ask about availability
If you do not know the name of a technique, show a reference photo and describe the result in plain terms. A photo is a guide, not a guarantee that the same cut will look identical with different hair texture or length.
Você tem horário para cortar o cabelo na sexta?
Do you have an opening for a haircut on Friday?
Queria marcar um corte para amanhã à tarde.
I’d like to book a haircut for tomorrow afternoon.
Quanto custa cortar e fazer escova?
How much does a cut and blowout cost?
Explain length and how much to remove
Use só as pontas (just the ends) when you want a small trim. Para tirar pouco (to take off a little) and na altura dos ombros (at shoulder length) make the result easier to discuss. Bring a reference photo and point to the length you mean; words such as curto (short) can be interpreted differently.
If you want to keep a specific length, say so before the first cut. You can ask the hairdresser to check with you before taking off more. This is a normal clarification, not a criticism of the professional.
Quero tirar só as pontas, por favor.
I only want the ends trimmed, please.
Pode cortar até aqui, mais ou menos?
Could you cut to about here?
Prefiro manter o comprimento. Pode tirar bem pouco?
I’d rather keep the length. Could you take off just a little?
Check details and ask for an adjustment
Before the service begins, confirm details such as washing, styling, and the price. At the end, look at the cut from the front and sides. If you want a small adjustment, describe the area and the change: um pouco mais curto aqui (a little shorter here). Thank the hairdresser and ask for the total before paying if it was not clear earlier.
Real Life Portuguese guides to shopping and polite requests can help with other service conversations. I Speak Portuguese also has teachers who can help you rehearse a real-life scenario before your visit.
Você vai lavar meu cabelo antes do corte?
Will you wash my hair before the cut?
Pode deixar um pouco mais curto deste lado?
Could you make this side a little shorter?
Ficou ótimo, obrigada. Quanto ficou no total?
It looks great, thank you. How much is the total? (speaker: woman)
Put it into practice
Save three details before your appointment: the length you want to keep, the service you booked, and one phrase for asking the hairdresser to check before cutting more.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “How much does a cut and blowout cost”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.