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Questions & Answers about Ieri mi sono pettinato.
Why do we use sono instead of ho here?
In Italian, all reflexive verbs (actions you do to yourself) use essere (to be) as their helper verb in the past tense. Even though you would use avere (to have) to say you combed someone else's hair, you must use sono because you are doing it to yourself.
How would a woman say this sentence?
Where is the word for 'hair' in this sentence?
It isn't there! In English we say 'I combed my hair,' but Italian uses the reflexive verb pettinarsi which simply means 'to comb oneself.' For daily grooming routines, Italians usually use these reflexive verbs instead of naming the body part.