Translation guide
A hairstyle where longer hair from one side is combed over a bald or thinning area to cover it.
Describing or referring to the comb-over hairstyle.
A common, slightly humorous Japanese term for a comb-over, likening the parallel strands of hair to a barcode. Widely understood.
あの人のバーコードヘア、すごいね。
That guy's comb-over is something else.
Variant of バーコードヘア, using 頭 (head) instead of ヘア. Same humorous tone.
課長のバーコード頭、風で乱れてたよ。
The section chief's comb-over was messed up by the wind.
Literally 'hidden baldness'. Refers to a hairstyle that conceals baldness, including comb-overs. More general than バーコードヘア.
彼は隠れハゲだから、風の強い日は大変だ。
He has a comb-over, so windy days are tough for him.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'hairstyle that covers with side hair'. Not a set term, but can be used to explain a comb-over.
彼は横髪をかぶせる髪型で薄毛を隠している。
He hides his thinning hair with a comb-over hairstyle.
There is no direct, neutral Japanese word for 'comb-over'. Using a literal translation like かぶせ髪 (kabuse-gami) would not be understood. Stick to the common terms バーコードヘア or descriptive phrases.
「かぶせ髪」とは言いません。
We don't say 'kabuse-gami'.
バーコードヘア is widely recognized and often used humorously or critically. It's fine in casual conversation but might be rude if said directly to the person. In formal contexts, describe the hairstyle indirectly.