Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Haircut in Spanish: Corte de Pelo

Corte de pelo · noun (masculine) · KOHR-teh deh PEH-loh

Haircut in Spanish is corte de pelo (literally cut of hair). In more formal settings like upscale salons, corte de cabello is preferred. The verb for getting a haircut is cortarse el pelo, and the professional is a peluquero/a or barbero/a.

KOHR-teh deh PEH-loh — stress on the first syllable of corte and pelo. Both e vowels are short and open.

Necesito un corte de pelo antes de la boda.

I need a haircut before the wedding.

Haircut in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for haircut, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

SpanishEnglishPronunciationRegion / Register
corte de pelohaircutKOHR-teh deh PEH-lohDefault, widely understood
corte de cabellohaircutmore formal, used in salons
peluqueadahaircutinformal, some Latin American countries

How Native Speakers Use Corte de pelo

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

At the barber

¿Cuánto cuesta un corte de pelo aquí?

How much does a haircut cost here?

This is the most natural way to ask about pricing at a barbershop.

Complimenting someone

¡Te queda muy bien ese corte de cabello!

That haircut looks great on you!

Corte de cabello sounds slightly more polished and is common in compliments.

Getting a haircut (reflexive)

Me voy a cortar el pelo este fin de semana.

I'm going to get a haircut this weekend.

Cortarse el pelo is the reflexive verb phrase meaning to get one's hair cut.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Corte de pelo

Saying cortar mi pelo instead of cortarme el pelo

Incorrect: Quiero cortar mi pelo.

Correct: Quiero cortarme el pelo.

Spanish uses a reflexive pronoun plus a definite article with body parts instead of a possessive adjective. Cortarme el pelo is the natural phrasing.

Using peluquería for the haircut itself

Incorrect: Me hice una peluquería.

Correct: Me hice un corte de pelo.

Peluquería is the hair salon, not the haircut. The cut itself is el corte (de pelo or de cabello).

Lock in Haircut Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Corte de pelo used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using corte de pelo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Necesito un corte de pelo antes de la boda. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Haircut in Spanish

How do you say haircut in Spanish?
Haircut in Spanish is corte de pelo (casual) or corte de cabello (formal). Both are widely understood in all Spanish-speaking countries.
How do you say I need a haircut in Spanish?
Say Necesito un corte de pelo or Necesito cortarme el pelo. Both are natural and everyday expressions.
What is the difference between peluquero and barbero?
A peluquero/a works in a salon and handles all hair services. A barbero specifically works in a barbería (barbershop) and typically serves male clients with cuts and shaves.