zum Friseur gehen
To go to hairdresser
Literally: {"zum":"to the","Friseur":"hairdresser","gehen":"to go"}
In 15 Seconds
- Standard phrase for visiting a hair salon.
- Covers haircuts, styling, and color treatments.
- Neutral formality, suitable for most situations.
- Implies a professional grooming appointment.
Meaning
Heading to the salon! This is your go-to phrase for saying you're off to get your hair cut, styled, or colored. It's super common and carries a relaxed vibe, like you're treating yourself or just keeping up with your look. Think of it as your personal grooming appointment.
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend
Hey, ich kann erst später kommen, muss noch schnell `zum Friseur gehen`.
Hey, I can only come later, I still have to quickly go to the hairdresser's.
Instagram caption
Endlich wieder frische Farbe! 💇♀️ War mal wieder `zum Friseur gegangen`.
Finally fresh color again! 💇♀️ Went to the hairdresser's again.
Planning a weekend
Was machst du am Samstag? Ich wollte `zum Friseur gehen` und mir die Haare schneiden lassen.
What are you doing on Saturday? I wanted to go to the hairdresser's and get my hair cut.
Cultural Background
The 'Waschzwang' (washing compulsion): In many German salons, it is traditionally required to have your hair washed by the stylist rather than just getting a 'dry cut', though this is changing. In Vienna, the hairdresser is often a place for social gossip, much like a coffee house. It's common to spend a long time chatting with the '{der|m} Friseurmeister'. Mondays are traditionally 'Ruhetag' (rest day) for hairdressers in Germany. Most salons are closed on Sundays and Mondays.
The 'Beim' vs 'Zum' Rule
Use 'zum' when you are on your way there. Use 'beim' when you are already sitting in the chair.
Gender Matters
While 'zum Friseur' is a general term, if you want to be specific about a female stylist, use 'zur Friseurin'.
In 15 Seconds
- Standard phrase for visiting a hair salon.
- Covers haircuts, styling, and color treatments.
- Neutral formality, suitable for most situations.
- Implies a professional grooming appointment.
What It Means
This phrase means you are going to visit a hairdresser's salon. It's the standard way to say you're getting a haircut or any other hair treatment. It implies a professional setting, not a DIY job at home. You're heading out to get pampered a bit!
How To Use It
Simply use zum Friseur gehen when you're talking about your upcoming hair appointment. You can use it in the present tense to say you're going now. Or use it in the future tense to say you plan to go. It's very versatile for any hair-related salon visit. You can also use it to explain why you might be busy or unavailable.
Real-Life Examples
Imagine you're texting your friend: "Kannst du heute Abend? Ich muss noch schnell zum Friseur gehen." (Can you tonight? I still need to quickly go to the hairdresser's.) Or maybe you're telling your colleague why you'll be late: "Ich bin um 14 Uhr wieder da, ich war kurz zum Friseur gegangen." (I'll be back at 2 PM, I briefly went to the hairdresser's.) It's perfect for everyday chats.
When To Use It
Use zum Friseur gehen when you are visiting a professional salon. This includes getting a haircut, a trim, a new color, or a perm. It's also used for styling your hair for a special occasion. Think weddings, parties, or even just a confidence boost. It's your standard, everyday hair appointment phrase. It's also great for explaining a quick absence from work or an event.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this phrase if you're cutting your own hair at home. That's definitely not a salon visit! Also, avoid it if you're visiting a barber shop exclusively for men's haircuts, though sometimes the terms overlap. It's also not for visiting a beauty salon for other services like nails or facials. Stick to hair-related visits for this one. It's also not for a wig shop.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes try to be too literal. They might say zum Haarschneider gehen (go to the hair cutter), which sounds a bit clunky and less natural. Or they might use Haarkünstler (hair artist) in the phrase, which is too specific and not the standard term. The most common error is probably using a generic word for 'shop' instead of the specific profession. Remember, Friseur is key here! It's like trying to say 'go to the automotive repair person' instead of 'go to the mechanic'.
Ich gehe zum Haargeschäft gehen.
✓Ich gehe zum Friseur.
Ich gehe zum Schneiden meines Haares.
✓Ich gehe zum Friseur.
Similar Expressions
There's zum Coiffeur gehen, which is more common in Switzerland and Austria. It means the exact same thing. Zum Barbier gehen is specifically for a men's barber shop, focusing on shaves and men's haircuts. Einen Haarschnitt bekommen means 'to get a haircut', focusing on the result rather than the action of going. Sich die Haare machen lassen means 'to have one's hair done', which is broader and can include styling.
Common Variations
You might hear zum Friseur müssen (have to go to the hairdresser) if it's a necessity. Or Ich brauche einen neuen Haarschnitt, ich gehe bald zum Friseur (I need a new haircut, I'm going to the hairdresser soon). Sometimes people shorten it in very casual speech, but zum Friseur gehen is the most complete and widely understood form. You might also hear Ich bin beim Friseur (I am at the hairdresser's) once you've arrived.
Memory Trick
Imagine a 'Frizz' monster (sounds like Friseur) who loves to mess up your hair! You have to gehen (go) to the salon to get rid of him and make your hair smooth again. So, you gehen (go) to fight the 'Frizz' monster at the Friseur (hairdresser's)!
Quick FAQ
Q. Does zum Friseur gehen always mean a haircut?
A. Not necessarily! It covers any professional hair service, like coloring or styling, not just cutting. It's a general term for visiting a hair salon.
Q. Can I use this for a men's barber?
A. While a barber is a type of hairdresser, zum Barbier gehen is more specific for men's grooming. Zum Friseur is more general and works for most hair salons.
Q. Is it formal or informal?
A. It's pretty neutral! You can use it in most everyday situations, from texting friends to mentioning it casually at work. It's not overly formal or slangy.
Usage Notes
This is a very common and versatile phrase. It's neutral in formality and can be used in almost any everyday context. The main thing to remember is the fixed collocation `zum Friseur gehen`; avoid substituting verbs like `fahren` unless you specifically mean to emphasize driving, and stick to `Friseur` even if the stylist is female.
The 'Beim' vs 'Zum' Rule
Use 'zum' when you are on your way there. Use 'beim' when you are already sitting in the chair.
Gender Matters
While 'zum Friseur' is a general term, if you want to be specific about a female stylist, use 'zur Friseurin'.
Examples
12Hey, ich kann erst später kommen, muss noch schnell `zum Friseur gehen`.
Hey, I can only come later, I still have to quickly go to the hairdresser's.
Common way to explain a slight delay.
Endlich wieder frische Farbe! 💇♀️ War mal wieder `zum Friseur gegangen`.
Finally fresh color again! 💇♀️ Went to the hairdresser's again.
Shows off a new hair color after a salon visit.
Was machst du am Samstag? Ich wollte `zum Friseur gehen` und mir die Haare schneiden lassen.
What are you doing on Saturday? I wanted to go to the hairdresser's and get my hair cut.
Expresses intent for a weekend hair appointment.
Ich entschuldige mich für die kleine Verspätung gestern, ich war kurz `zum Friseur gegangen`.
I apologize for the slight delay yesterday, I had briefly gone to the hairdresser's.
A polite, though slightly unusual, explanation for lateness.
OMG, dein neuer Look ist der Hammer! Wer ist dein `Friseur`? Muss da auch hin!
OMG, your new look is amazing! Who is your hairdresser? I have to go there too!
Focuses on the professional rather than the act of going.
Ich fühle mich heute nicht so toll, vielleicht sollte ich einfach mal wieder `zum Friseur gehen`.
I'm not feeling so great today, maybe I should just go to the hairdresser's again.
Links salon visit with emotional well-being.
✗ Ich muss `zum Friseur machen` gehen.
✗ I have to go to the hairdresser make.
Incorrect verb conjugation and phrasing.
✗ Ich gehe heute `zur Friseurin`.
✗ I am going to the female hairdresser today.
While `Friseurin` is correct for a female hairdresser, the phrase structure is slightly off for this context. `Zum Friseur` is the standard idiom.
Mein Hund hat meine Frisur ruiniert! Ich muss dringend `zum Friseur gehen`.
My dog ruined my hairstyle! I urgently need to go to the hairdresser's.
A funny, exaggerated reason for a salon visit.
In Berlin probiere ich heute mal einen neuen Style aus und gehe dafür `zum Friseur`.
In Berlin, I'm trying out a new style today and will go to the hairdresser's for it.
Using the phrase while documenting experiences abroad.
Ich bin gleich fertig, bin gerade `zum Friseur gegangen` und hole das Essen dann ab.
I'll be ready soon, I just went to the hairdresser's and will pick up the food then.
Explaining a brief absence while waiting for delivery.
Nächste Woche habe ich einen wichtigen Termin, deshalb muss ich vorher `zum Friseur gehen`.
Next week I have an important appointment, that's why I have to go to the hairdresser's beforehand.
Connecting a salon visit to preparation for an event.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct contraction.
Ich gehe heute ___ Friseur.
'Zum' is the contraction of 'zu' (to) + 'dem' (the, masculine dative).
Which sentence is correct?
Select the natural German sentence:
German requires the article and the correct preposition 'zu'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Deine {die|f} Haare sind sehr lang! B: Ja, ich ___ morgen ___ ___ ___.
The context of 'tomorrow' implies future movement/intent.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You have an appointment at 4 PM.
This expresses the intent to go to the appointment.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch gehe heute ___ Friseur.
'Zum' is the contraction of 'zu' (to) + 'dem' (the, masculine dative).
Select the natural German sentence:
German requires the article and the correct preposition 'zu'.
A: Deine {die|f} Haare sind sehr lang! B: Ja, ich ___ morgen ___ ___ ___.
The context of 'tomorrow' implies future movement/intent.
You have an appointment at 4 PM.
This expresses the intent to go to the appointment.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsBoth are correct. 'Friseur' is the original French spelling and is more common. 'Frisör' is the Germanized spelling.
In Germany, yes, usually. Ask: 'Brauche ich einen {der|m} Termin?'
5-10% is standard. You can say 'Stimmt so' if you want them to keep the change.
Related Phrases
beim {der|m} Friseur sein
similarTo be at the hairdresser's right now.
sich die {die|f} Haare schneiden lassen
builds onTo have one's hair cut.
einen {der|m} Termin vereinbaren
similarTo make an appointment.
