You'll feel more confident during your next salon visit once you master these specific terms. Using the correct kapper woorden nederlands (Dutch hairdresser words) prevents expensive mistakes and ensures your stylist understands your vision. This post explains how to describe lengths, colors, and treatments so you leave the chair satisfied.
Describing the desired length — Vocabulary for 'puntjes eraf', 'kort', 'lagen', and 'pony'.
Most Dutch stylists start by asking how much you want to take off. Say puntjes eraf (tips off) if you only want a tiny bit removed. This is the standard phrase for a maintenance trim when you want to keep your current style. If you're looking for a more substantial change, use the word kort (short) or middellang (medium-length). Men often request an opscheer (fade or undercut) where the sides are much shorter than the top.
Tell the stylist if you want lagen (layers) to add volume to a flat hairstyle. This technique adds movement to your hair, which helps if your hair feels heavy during the humid Dutch winter. Use the word pony (bangs) if you want hair covering your forehead. Ask for a schuine pony (side-swept bangs) if you want a softer look rather than a straight line. These specific terms help you avoid a style that doesn't fit your face.
If you're preparing for a professional photo for your new residence permit at the gemeente (municipality), these words are useful. Make sure to specify the length for the zijkanten (sides) and the achterkant (back) separately to get the best result. Your kapper (hairdresser) will appreciate the clarity when you describe the shape you want.
Hair color and treatment terms — Terms for 'verven', 'highlights', 'wassen', and 'fönen'.
Changing your hair color requires clear communication to avoid damaging your hair or getting the wrong shade. The most common verb for this is verven (to dye or color). You might ask the stylist to mijn haar verven (color my hair) because you want to cover gray hair or try something new. If you don't want a full head of color, ask for highlights (highlights) or lowlights (lowlights).
If your natural color is starting to show, tell the kapper you want to update your uitgroei (regrowth or roots). Before the cutting begins, the stylist will usually ask if you want your hair wassen (washed). This often includes a scalp massage and a specific shampoo for your hair type. After the cut, you can request to fönen (blow-dry) your hair so you'll see the final shape immediately. Some salons charge extra for this service, so it's good to check the price list beforehand.
Identifying different hair types (krullen, steil)
Dutch stylists need to know how your hair behaves when it's dry. Tell them if you have krullen (curls) or if your hair is steil (straight). Many people in the Netherlands have slag (wavy hair) which can be tricky to cut if it's too wet. If you have very tight curls or coily hair, the term is kroeshaar (afro-textured hair). You should also mention if your hair is dik (thick) or dun (thin). Thick hair often needs the stylist to uitdunnen (thin out) the bulk with special scissors. Thin hair might need more blunt cuts to look fuller.
Asking about the price of a treatment
Prices at a Dutch salon can vary by a large amount based on your location and the stylist's experience. You should ask "Wat is de prijs?" (What is the price?) before the stylist starts. Some salons have separate prices for a was-knip-fön (wash, cut, and blow-dry) package. If you're on a budget, you can ask "Hoeveel kost alleen knippen?" (How much for just the cutting?). Note that prices are often different for men and women, though some modern salons use gender-neutral pricing.
You won't find haircut coverage in your basic package from a zorgverzekeraar (health insurer), so you must pay the full amount yourself. Most places prefer a pin payment rather than cash. If you're happy with the service, it's common but not required to leave a small tip of one or two Euros. Furthermore, some salons offer discounts for students or seniors on specific days of the week.
Giving feedback during the cut — Phrases for 'iets korter', 'zo is het goed', and 'niet te veel'.
Communication doesn't stop once the scissors start moving. You must look in the spiegel (mirror) and speak up if the length isn't right. If you want more hair removed from a specific area, say "Mag het nog iets korter?" (Can it be a bit shorter?). It's better to ask for small adjustments gradually than to cut too much at once. If the stylist asks if the length is okay, respond with "Zo is het goed" (It is good like this).
When they're working on your fringe or the sides, you might need to say "Niet te veel" (Not too much) to keep some length. You can ask them to show you the back of your head using a hand mirror. Say "Mag ik de achterkant zien?" (May I see the back?) to ensure the neckline is straight. If you find the experience stressful, remember that your huisarts (GP) handles your health, but your kapper is there for your appearance. Clear feedback ensures you leave the salon happy with your new look. Don't be afraid to point at the mirror to be precise.
Recap
Learning these terms allows you to control your image and communicate effectively with your Dutch hairdresser. The most important thing is to use specific words for length and feedback to ensure you get exactly what you want. Having these phrases ready will make your next visit much more relaxed.
