美容室(びようしつ)

Composed of 美容(びよう) (beauty, cosmetics) + 室(しつ) (room). In Japan, 美容室(びようしつ) and 理髪店(りはつてん)/床屋(とこや) (barbershop) are legally and culturally distinct. 美容室(びようしつ) are licensed to cut and style hair, offer perms and coloring, and serve both men and women. The more casual synonym 美容院(びよういん) is also very common.

Common collocations

• 美容室(びようしつ)に行(い)く: to go to the hair salon
• 美容室(びようしつ)を予約(よやく)する: to book a salon appointment
• 美容室(びようしつ)に通(かよ)う: to go regularly to a salon
• 美容室(びようしつ)で髪(かみ)を切(き)る: to get a haircut at a salon
• 美容室(びようしつ)で染(そ)める: to get hair colored at a salon

Similar words

• 美容院(びよういん): beauty salon — virtually synonymous, equally common
• 床屋(とこや): barbershop — traditionally for men, more casual atmosphere
• 理髪店(りはつてん): barbershop — formal word for barber
• ヘアサロン: hair salon — loanword, used by trendy or upscale shops