शेव करनी है

You use this phrase when you are the one needing the shave. The word शेव is borrowed from English. The part करनी है indicates a necessity or a plan. You can place it at the end of a sentence. For example, 'I can't come out yet, शेव करनी है.' It sounds natural and modern. Most urban Indians use this exact phrasing.

Use it in the morning before work. Use it when talking to your barber. It is perfect for telling your partner why you are taking long in the bathroom. It works well when you are looking in the mirror and talking to yourself. It is a great 'excuse' phrase for being five minutes late to a Zoom call. It feels casual and honest.

Don't use this in a super-formal business presentation. It is a bit too personal for a boardroom. Avoid using it if you are talking about someone else shaving. For others, the grammar changes slightly. Also, if you are at a high-end spa, you might ask for a 'shave' more formally. Don't say it if you just have a tiny bit of stubble you plan to keep. It implies a full removal or a significant cleanup.

In India, the local 'Nai' (barber) shop is a social hub. Men gather there to discuss cricket and politics. While many shave at home, the ritual of a professional shave is still huge. Using the English word शेव is very common in cities. In more rural areas, you might hear हजामत (hajamat), but that sounds a bit old-fashioned now. Clean-shaven looks are often associated with professional office environments in India.

You might hear शेव बनाना है (shev banana hai). This is also very common and means 'to make a shave.' If you are in a hurry, you might just say शेव करना है. If you want to sound more traditional, you could use दाढ़ी बनानी है (daadhi banani hai). दाढ़ी means beard. Most young people stick to the English loanword because it is snappy and easy.