1.
beauty salon; hair salon
A place where hair is cut, styled, colored, or permed. In Japan, distinct from a barbershop.
美容室を予約した。
I made an appointment at the hair salon.
駅前に新しい美容室がオープンした。
A new beauty salon opened in front of the station.
毎月一回美容室に通っているが、今月は忙しくて行けなかった。
I go to the beauty salon once a month, but this month I was too busy to go.
Composed of 美容 (beauty, cosmetics) + 室 (room). In Japan, 美容室 and 理髪店/床屋 (barbershop) are legally and culturally distinct. 美容室 are licensed to cut and style hair, offer perms and coloring, and serve both men and women. The more casual synonym 美容院 is also very common.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 美容室に行く: to go to the hair salon
- 美容室を予約する: to book a salon appointment
- 美容室に通う: to go regularly to a salon
- 美容室で髪を切る: to get a haircut at a salon
- 美容室で染める: to get hair colored at a salon
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 美容院: beauty salon — virtually synonymous, equally common
- 床屋: barbershop — traditionally for men, more casual atmosphere
- 理髪店: barbershop — formal word for barber
- ヘアサロン: hair salon — loanword, used by trendy or upscale shops