Getting a haircut in Swedish
Booking online, the 'what are we doing today?' moment, describing the cut, the small talk, and checking the result in the mirror — one visit, start to finish.
Swedish salons run on booked times (Bokadirekt is the app everyone uses) and some drop-in. The conversation in the chair is short and predictable — what you want, how short, holiday plans — and knowing the phrases means you leave with the cut you asked for. This deck follows one visit: booking, the chair, and paying.
- 1
Jag skulle vilja boka en klippning.
I'd like to book a haircut.
Tip: 'skulle vilja' = would like to.
- 2
Har ni något på lördag?
Do you have anything on Saturday?
Tip: 'ni' = you (the shop).
- 3
Det finns en tid halv elva.
There's a slot at half past ten.
Tip: 'halv elva' = 10:30 — half TO eleven.
- 4
Perfekt, jag tar den.
Perfect, I'll take it.
Tip: 'den' = the slot (en tid).
- 5
Hej, jag har bokat tid halv elva.
Hi, I have a booking at half past ten.
Tip: 'ha bokat tid' = have an appointment.
- 6
Slå dig ner, jag kommer strax.
Have a seat, I'll be right with you.
Tip: 'slå sig ner' = sit down; 'strax' = in a moment.
- 7
Vill du ha en kaffe medan du väntar?
Would you like a coffee while you wait?
Tip: Salons often offer.
- 8
Så, vad ska vi göra idag?
So, what are we doing today?
Tip: The opener in every salon.
- 9
Bara putsa lite, behåll formen.
Just a trim, keep the shape.
Tip: 'behålla' = keep.
- 10
Ganska mycket kortare, faktiskt.
Quite a bit shorter, actually.
Tip: 'kortare' = shorter.
- 11
Kort på sidorna, lite längre på toppen.
Short on the sides, a bit longer on top.
Tip: The most common request in Sweden.
- 12
Maskin eller sax på sidorna?
Clippers or scissors on the sides?
Tip: 'maskin' = clippers.
- 13
En trea med maskinen.
A number three with the clippers.
Tip: Guard numbers work the same in Swedish.
- 14
Hur mycket ska jag ta på luggen?
How much off the fringe?
Tip: 'ta på' = take off (of hair).
- 15
Till ögonbrynen, ungefär.
To the eyebrows, roughly.
Tip: 'ögonbrynen' = the eyebrows.
- 16
Vill du ha det lite urtunnat?
Do you want it thinned out a bit?
Tip: 'tunna ur' = thin out (thick hair).
- 17
Ja, det blir väldigt tjockt på sommaren.
Yes, it gets very thick in summer.
Tip: 'på sommaren' = in summer.
- 18
Vill du ha skägget snyggat till också?
Do you want the beard tidied up too?
Tip: 'snygga till' = tidy up.
- 19
Ja, bara kanterna.
Yes, just the edges.
Tip: 'kanterna' = the edges/lines.
- 20
Är vattnet bra?
Is the water okay?
Tip: Asked at the basin.
- 21
Lite varmare, tack.
A bit warmer, please.
Tip: 'varmare' = warmer.
- 22
Har du några planer för helgen?
Any plans for the weekend?
Tip: The small-talk question.
- 23
Inte direkt, jag tar det lugnt.
Not really, taking it easy.
Tip: 'ta det lugnt' = take it easy; 'inte direkt' = not really.
- 24
Är det första gången du är här?
Is this your first time here?
Tip: 'första gången' = the first time.
- 25
Ja, jag har precis flyttat hit.
Yes, I just moved to the area.
Tip: 'precis' = just; 'hit' = to here.
- 26
Titta här — vad tycker du?
Have a look — what do you think?
Tip: 'tycka' = think/find (opinion).
- 27
Kan du ta lite mer i nacken?
Could you take a little more off the back?
Tip: 'i nacken' = at the back.
- 28
Det blev jättebra, tack.
That's great, thanks.
Tip: 'det blev' = it turned out.
- 29
Det blir 450, kort eller Swish?
That's 450, card or Swish?
Tip: 'det blir' = that comes to.
- 30
Kort, tack. Kan jag boka nästa tid nu?
Card, please. Can I book the next one now?
Tip: 'nästa tid' = the next appointment.