Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| barbiere | /barˈbjɛ.re/ | masculine |
| parrucchiere | /par.rukˈkjɛ.re/ | masculine |
A barbiere is a professional who cuts hair and maintains beards or mustaches. You can use the common expression barbiere di fiducia to mean a "trusted barber." Additionally, when you want to say you are going "to the barber" or "to the barber's shop," the idiomatic phrase is dal barbiere.
Which one should you use?
barbiere is used specifically for a professional who specializes in cutting hair and maintaining beards and mustaches. In contrast, parrucchiere is a more general term for a hairdresser or hairstylist who focuses on hair styling and cutting.
How does it change in a sentence?
While parrucchiere is listed as a masculine noun, its feminine form is parrucchiera.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /barˈbjɛ.re/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- In historical Italy, the barbiere often served as a 'barber-surgeon', performing minor medical procedures like bloodletting and tooth extractions.
- The red, white and blue pole outside a barbiere represents the historical practice of bloodletting, with red symbolizing blood and white symbolizing bandages.
- The word parrucchiere comes from parrucca, meaning 'wig'. This reflects a time when the profession involved making and maintaining elaborate powdered wigs.
Examples in context
- Tom ha un barbiere.Tom has a barber shop.This sentence is useful for mentioning that Tom has a barber.Tatoeba #13536941 by Guybrush88, translation #5009339 by CK
- Non è un barbiere, vero?You're not a barber, are you?This sentence is useful for asking someone if they are a barber.Tatoeba #6853470 by Guybrush88, translation #6351869 by CK
- Voglio andare dal barbiere.I want to go to the barber.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to go to the barber.Tatoeba #6276646 by Guybrush88, translation #6276643 by Kiwi
- Ho un appuntamento dal barbiere domani mattina.I have an appointment with the barber tomorrow morning.
- Il barbiere di questa città è molto bravo.The barber in this town is very skilled.
- Domani voglio andare dal parrucchiere per tagliare i capelli.Tomorrow, I want to go to the barber/hairdresser to get a haircut.
- Ho trovato finalmente un barbiere di fiducia che mi sa acconciare i capelli come piace a me.I finally found a trusted barber who knows how to style my hair the way I like it.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Martina are discussing Matteo's messy hair.
- MatteoDevo trovare un nuovo barbiere.I need to find a new barber.
- MartinaPerché? Il tuo non è bravo?Why? Isn't yours good?
- MatteoNo, il mio barbiere taglia troppo corto.No, my barber cuts it too short.
- MartinaPosso consigliarti un posto migliore, Matteo.I can recommend a better place, Matteo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “barber” translations and entries barbiere, parrucchiere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barbiere, parrucchiere, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
