Korean Dictionary
How to say "Perm" in Korean
“Perm” in Korean is 파마 (pronounced "pama").
파마
pama
Usage & Context
파마 is extremely popular in Korea with a variety of styles including the volumizing digital perm and the trendy loose wave perm. Korean 파마 techniques are considered among the best in the world and attract customers from neighboring countries seeking the signature Korean hair texture. Both men and women in Korea regularly get 파마 as a style staple.
Example Sentence
디지털 파마를 하고 나서 머리 볼륨이 살아났어요.
After getting a digital perm my hair volume came to life.
How to use 파마 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Perm” is 파마, romanized as pama.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 파마.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'pah-mah' — both syllables rhyme with 'ma' in 'mama,' short and even. No stress on either syllable, just two quick beats.
More Example Sentences
telling a friend about your weekend plans
내일 미용실에서 파마할 거예요.
I'm going to get a perm at the salon tomorrow.
discussing Korean beauty trends
요즘은 남자도 파마 많이 해요.
These days guys get perms a lot too.
complaining to a friend after a salon visit
파마 값이 생각보다 비싸더라고요.
The perm was more expensive than I expected.
Cultural Context
Korean salons are obsessed with perm technology — 디지털 파마 (digital perm) uses heated rods to lock in volume that lasts for months, and 열펌 (heat perm) has become the standard for the soft, loose beach waves you see on K-drama actresses. Men's grooming in Korea is equally perm-heavy: 댄디컷 파마 and 쉐도우 파마 are go-to styles for students and office workers who want polished volume without styling every morning. Tourists often book Korean perm appointments months in advance in Hongdae and Gangnam because prices are roughly a third of what they'd pay back home.
Editorial note
We review entries like 파마 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
파마하고 싶어요.
I want to get a perm.
디지털 파마로 해 주세요.
Please do a digital perm.
파마가 잘 나왔어요.
The perm came out nicely.
Related Expressions
미용실
mi-yong-sil
hair salon
염색
yeom-saek
hair dye
컷
keot
haircut
생머리
saeng-meo-ri
straight (natural) hair
More Beauty & Skincare Words
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