We are in the season of winter vacations and many of you will surely prefer to pack your suitcases for a more pleasant (and warm) place where you can indulge in restful relaxation. This includes SPA treatments.
The word "SPA" comes from the name of a small Belgian town rich in hot springs. For this reason, it became very famous among the Romans, who began to regularly visit Spa to relax after battles on the battlefield or in life. Much of Europe learned about Spa after the 16th century.
Nowadays, the word SPA designates a center for health, relaxation and beauty where treatments based on water, thermal or sea elements are performed. Among the diverse therapeutic procedures you can find hydromassages, Kneipp therapy, Turkish bath, massages and treatments with seaweed or mud.
The proposed treatments are usually recommended for combating cellulite, bone and respiratory diseases, skin problems. But they also simply serve to disconnect, to free yourself for a few hours or days from the stress of everyday life. The most famous mineral springs abroad can be found in Austria and Germany, but also in Great Britain, as the city of Bath was already a 'spa' in Roman times.
But if you think of going for spa treatments somewhere abroad without being well-equipped with the appropriate vocabulary of words and phrases for the occasion, you might find yourself in quite an awkward situation. For this reason, you should better learn the terminology of spa treatments and how to express yourself correctly in English. We have prepared a selection of basic words and phrases that will be very useful to you.
SPA Terminology Dictionary:
- Beauty Treatment – cosmetic procedures
- Skin Treatment – skin treatments (therapy)
- Body Treatment – body treatments (therapy)
- Facial Treatment – facial treatments
- Hand Treatment – hand treatments (therapy)
- Foot Treatment – foot treatments (therapy)
- Manicure – manicure
- Pedicure – pedicure
- Nail Care – nail care
- Hair and Scalp Treatment – hair and scalp treatments (therapy)
- Waxing/Depilation – depilation
- Eyebrow Threading – eyebrow treatments
- Collagen Therapy – collagen therapy
- Aromatherapy – aromatherapy
- Body Toning – body toning
- Acupuncture Treatment – acupuncture
- Mud Bath – mud bath
- Milk and Honey Bath – milk and honey bath
- Hydro Bath – hydro bath
- Steam Bath – steam bath
- Thermal Bath Clay Wrap – thermal bath with clay mask
- Seaweed Wrap – seaweed mask
- Cellulite Wrap – cellulite mask
- Herbal Wrap – herbal mask
- Mud Wrap – mud mask
- Slimming Wrap – slimming mask
- Acupressure – acupressure
- Aromatherapy – aromatherapy
- Swedish Massage – Swedish massage
- Hot Stone Massage – hot stone massage
- Shiatsu – shiatsu
- Deep Tissue Massage – deep tissue massage
- Reflexology – reflexology
- Dry Floatation – dry flotation
- Skin Bliss – skin massage
- Sports Massage – sports massage
- Seaweed – seaweed
- Salt – salt
- Scrub – exfoliation
- Honey – honey
- Herbs – herbs
- Minerals – minerals
- Essential Oils Treatment Room – essential oils therapy room
- Pool – pool
- Steam Room – steam room
- Sauna – sauna
- Vichy Shower – Vichy shower
- Reception – reception
- Locker Area – changing rooms
- Fitness Centre – fitness center
- Beauty Salon – beauty salon
- Exercise Pavilion – exercise pavilion
- Saltwater Pool – saltwater pool
- Thermometer – thermometer
- Sauna Bench – sauna bench
- Hourglass – hourglass
- Massage Bed – massage bed
- Disposable Underwear – disposable underwear
- Towel – towel
- Oil – oil
- Fire Alarm – fire alarm
- Tissues – tissues
- Bathrobe – bathrobe
- Slippers – slippers
- Hot Tub – hot tub
- Swimming pool – swimming pool
Phrases
Here are some useful phrases to book a treatment, ask for information or make specific requests.
Could you explain what acupuncture (Thai massage, reflexology, etc.) is?
(e.g.) Could you explain what acupuncture (Thai massage, reflexology, etc.) is?
What kind of services do you offer here?
What services (treatments) do you offer here?
Can I book a Thai massage?
Can I book (make an appointment for) a Thai massage?
I would like to get a facial and a body wrap.
I would like to have a facial mask and body treatment.
Do you do body wrapping (manicure, steam baths) here?
Do you do body wraps (manicure, steam baths) here?
What is a Swedish massage like?
What is a Swedish massage like?
How long is the treatment?
How long does the treatment last?
What are the effects of the sauna?
What are the effects of the sauna?
What is an exfoliation mask?
What is an exfoliating mask?
The temperature is very hot.
The temperature is very hot.
Could I have some cream? I have very delicate skin.
Could I have some cream? I have very sensitive skin.
I'd like to try the seaweed wrap today. What are the benefits of a seaweed wrap?
I'd like to try the seaweed wrap today. What are the benefits of a seaweed wrap?
I really need something relaxing. Is there anything you would like to recommend?
I really need something relaxing. Can you recommend anything?
What type of massage would you recommend for muscle relaxation?
What type of massage would you recommend for muscle relaxation?
Could I get an aromatherapy steam bath?
Could I get an aromatherapy steam bath?
With these phrases you could manage in almost any SPA center abroad. If you've decided to take a quick English language course before traveling – why not try the online courses at Kabinata.com? The English teachers on this online platform are British and will teach you in their native language. After such a course you will certainly be prepared for any situation that might arise in the SPA center! Why wait?