coiffeur
/kwa.fœʁ/
coiffeur is the French word for hairdresser.
A coiffeur is a person whose job is to cut and style hair. In French, this word can be used metonymically to refer to both the person and the establishment, such as the hair salon itself. To specify a business that caters to men's hairstyles, you can use the expression Coiffeur pour hommes.
Which one should you use?
While coiffeur is often used to mean the hair salon in everyday speech, the formal name for the business is a salon de coiffure.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form is coiffeur. To refer to a female hairdresser, use the feminine form coiffeuse. To refer to multiple hairdressers, the plural form is coiffeurs.
How do you pronounce it?
/kwa.fœʁ/ (2 syllables)
Did you know?
- French has a specific term, coiffeur visagiste, for a stylist who specializes in choosing a haircut based on the unique shape and proportions of a person's face.
- While English uses 'hairdresser' for both, French culture historically distinguished between a coiffeur and a perruquier, the latter being a specialist who creates and maintains wigs.
- The French language uses the word coiffe to describe traditional regional lace caps, which are distinct from the modern professional work of a coiffeur.
Examples in context
- J'ai rendez-vous chez mon coiffeur pour me faire couper les cheveux.I have an appointment with my hairdresser to get my hair cut.
- Julien est un maître coiffeur très réputé dans la région.Julien is a highly esteemed master hairdresser in the region.
- Je préfère me rendre chez une coiffeuse pour discuter de la nouvelle coupe que je souhaite.I prefer going to a female hairdresser to discuss the new haircut I desire.
- Je cherche un bon coiffeur.I am looking for a good hairdresser.
- Le coiffeur est très gentil.The hairdresser is very kind.
- Tu connais un coiffeur à Paris ?Do you know a hairdresser in Paris?
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are discussing hair appointments.
- NathanTu as rendez-vous chez le coiffeur ?Do you have an appointment at the hairdresser's?
- LéaOui, je vais voir mon coiffeur habituel.Yes, I am going to see my usual hairdresser.
- NathanEst-ce qu'il est disponible demain ?Is he available tomorrow?
- LéaNon, il est complet pour toute la semaine.No, he is fully booked for the whole week.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry coiffeur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
