理发
lǐ fà
The Chinese word for haircut is 理发 (lǐ fà).
理发 refers to the act of getting a haircut or the professional service of hair cutting.
Meaning: act of cutting of hair (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 理 (lǐ), meaning to manage or arrange and 发 (fà), meaning hair.
Which one should you use?
While 理发 refers to the general concept or the professional service of a haircut, the phrase 剪头发 (jiǎn tóufa) is a more literal description of the physical action of cutting hair.
How do you pronounce it?
lǐ fà
Did you know?
- Historically, the act of 理发 was used as a political statement during the Qing Dynasty, where specific hairstyles were legally mandated to show loyalty to the emperor.
- The word for hair 发 is a homophone for the word meaning 'to prosper' or 'get rich' 发财, making haircuts during the Lunar New Year a symbolic start to wealth.
- While 理发 means to arrange hair, the character 理 can also mean 'logic' or 'reason'. In a different context, it can imply bringing order to a chaotic situation.
Examples in context
- 你到了该去理发的时候了。It is time you had a haircut!This sentence is useful for telling someone it is time for a haircut using 理发.Tatoeba #396111 by GlossaMatik, translation #245133 by CM
- 你该去理发店了。You need a haircut.This sentence is useful for stating that someone needs to go to a barbershop or salon using 理发.Tatoeba #426377 by fucongcong, translation #646619 by darinmex
- 我想换个发型I want to change my hairstyle.
- 我要去剪发I'm going to get a haircut.
- 你昨天剪了头发吗?Did you cut your hair yesterday?
- 我想去理发。Wǒ xiǎng qù lǐfà.I want to get a haircut.
Example conversation
At home, a woman notices her husband's hair is too long.
- 佳怡 Jiayi俊杰，你的头发太长了。Jùnjié, nǐ de tóufa tài cháng le.Junjie, your hair is too long.
- 俊杰 Junjie是吗？我也觉得该去理发了。Shì ma? Wǒ yě juéde gāi qù lǐfà le.Really? I also feel it is time for a haircut.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我们现在就出发吧。Nà wǒmen xiànzài jiù chūfā ba.Then let's head out now.
- 俊杰 Junjie好，走吧。Hǎo, zǒu ba.Okay, let's go.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
