Translation guide
Describes hair that forms curls or waves. Japanese has several common words depending on curl tightness, style, and nuance.
Describing hair with curls or waves in a neutral or positive way.
General term for curly hair. Can be used for natural curls or styled curls.
She has beautiful curly hair.
Loanword from English 'curl'. Often used for styled curls or specific curl patterns.
髪にカールをつける。
I put curls in my hair.
Loanword from English 'wave'. Refers to wavy hair, looser than tight curls.
彼は自然なウェーブの髪をしている。
He has naturally wavy hair.
Describing very tight, small curls, often associated with African-textured hair.
Refers to tightly curled or kinky hair. Can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context.
彼は縮れ毛を短く切っている。
He keeps his kinky hair cut short.
Refers to an afro hairstyle, often used for very curly hair styled out.
Describing someone as having curly hair using adjectives.
Literally 'hair is curled'. A natural way to say someone has curly hair.
あの子は髪が巻いている。
That child has curly hair.
Refers to hair that is not straight, often with a slight wave or frizz. Can be seen as a 'hair type' rather than styled curls.
私はくせ毛でまとまりにくい。
I have unruly wavy/curly hair that's hard to manage.
Describing hair that has been intentionally curled, e.g., with a perm or curling iron.
Short for 'permanent wave'. Refers to a perm or permed hair.
パーマをかけた。
I got a perm.
Hair that has been curled (with an iron or rollers).
カールした髪が崩れないようにスプレーする。
I use hairspray to keep my curls in place.
巻き毛 (makige) is a general term for curly hair, often with a positive or neutral nuance. 縮れ毛 (chijirege) implies very tight, kinky curls and can sometimes carry a negative connotation if not used carefully. くせ毛 (kusege) refers to hair that is not straight, often slightly wavy or frizzy, and is considered a natural hair type rather than a style.
The direct translation 'カールした髪' is understandable but sounds like 'hair that has been curled' (as with an iron). For natural curly hair, use 巻き毛 or くせ毛.
She looks good with an afro.