Peter is on vacation to India and would like to visit a hairdresser. But, he is in remote part of India and his local hairdresser don’t speak English, he must speak to him/her in Hindi.

Hindi word for hair is बाल (Baal) and Hairdresser is called नाई (Naai). The verb associated with hair-cutting/hair-dressing is called बाल कटवाना (Baal Katvana).

Well, let me help you out here with a sample conversation and let’s see how Peter manages his conversation in Hindi with the hairdresser. Words in brackets are usually omitted in conversation as it is obvious from the context.

Peter to Hairdresser:
Hello / Hello (more formal) Sir!
नमस्ते!
Namaste / Namskar!

Hairdresser to Peter:
नमस्ते!
Namaste / Namskar!
Hello / Hello!

Peter to Hairdresser:
I want to get my hair trimmed.
मुझे बाल कटवाने हैं।
Mujhe baal katvane hain.

Hairdresser to Peter:
Do you want to keep your hair long or short?
(क्या) बाल लम्बे रखने है या छोटे?
(kya) baal lame rakhne hai ya chote?

Peter to Hairdresser:
I want to keep them short.
बाल छोटे रखने हैं।
baal chote rakhne hain.

Hairdresser to Peter:
Should I shampoo your hair?
(क्या) बालों में शैम्पू करना है या नहीं?
(kya) baalon mein shampoo karna hai ya nahi?

Peter to Hairdresser:
Yes, please do.
हाँ, कर देना।
hain, kar dena.

After the hair trimming, hairdressers usually ask if you want to get your hair styled with gel or wax and so on.

Hairdresser to Peter:
Should I style your hair?
(क्या) बाल स्टाइल करने है?
(kya) baal style karne hai?

Hairdresser to Peter:
Would you like something else…Waxing, Shaving?
(क्या) और कुछ करना है?…वैक्सिंग, शेविंग?
(kya) aur kuch karna hai?…waxing, shaving?

Peter to Hairdresser:
No, that’s it.
नहीं, बस यही।
nahi, bas yehi.

Peter to Hairdresser:
How much?
कितने हुए?
kitne hue?

Hairdresser to Peter:
One hundred.
एक सौ रुपए।
ek sau rupey.

Peter to Hairdresser:
Thank you!
धन्यवाद!
Dhaniyavad!

Hairdresser to Peter:
Thank you!
धन्यवाद!
Dhaniyavad!