美容師
biyōshi[bʲijo̞ːɕi]
The Japanese word for hairdresser is 美容師 (biyōshi).
The term 美容師 is used to describe the professional occupation itself.
Meaning: professional for haircutting or hairstyling (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 美容師 (biyōshi) refers to a professional working in a beauty salon (often focusing on women's hair and aesthetics), 理容師 (riyōshi) refers to a barber (often focusing on men's hair and shaving).
How do you pronounce it?
biyōshi
Did you know?
- The word 美容 (biyō) is the root of the term 美容院 (biyōin), which sounds almost identical to 病院 (byōin), the word for hospital. Be careful with the vowel length to avoid saying you are going to the hospital for a haircut.
- In Japan, the difference between a 美容師 and a 理容師 is legal. A 美容師 is licensed to cut hair and style it, but only a 理容師 is legally permitted to perform a traditional razor shave.
- The suffix 師 (shi) in 美容師 is the same one used for doctors 医師 and teachers 教師. This elevates the hairdresser from a simple service worker to a certified master or expert of their craft.
Examples in context
- 彼女は美容師なのよ。She is a hairdresser.This sentence is useful for stating someone's occupation using 美容師.Tatoeba #10612136 by small_snow, translation #8910490 by sundown
- 彼女はいつも有名な美容師に髪型をセットしてもらっている。She always has her hair done by a famous hairdresser.This sentence is useful for describing having one's hair styled by a famous 美容師.Tatoeba #4215013 by User66813, translation #310497 by CK
- 私の兄は美容師です。Watashi no ani wa biyoushi desu.My older brother is a hairdresser.
Example conversation
Youta and Himari are talking about their plans for the weekend.
- 陽太 Yota明日、美容師さんに予約を入れたよ。ashita, biyoushi-san ni yoyaku o ireta yo.I made an appointment with my hairdresser for tomorrow.
- 陽葵 Himariいいな。髪を切るの？ii na. kami o kiru no?Lucky. Are you getting a haircut?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、美容師さんに相談して決めるつもり。un, biyoushi-san ni soudan shite kimeru tsumori.Yeah, I plan to consult my hairdresser and decide.
- 陽葵 Himari楽しみだね。似合うスタイルになるといいね。tanoshimi da ne. niau sutairu ni naru to ii ne.That's exciting. I hope you get a style that suits you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hairdresser” translations and entries 美容師, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
