Vanessa explains how English uses “get a haircut” when another person cuts your hair. The grammar can seem surprising: the person who says “I’m getting a haircut” is not doing the cutting. A barber, hairstylist, or another person is cutting the hair for them. In everyday English, “get a haircut” describes receiving that service, while “cut my own hair” describes doing the work yourself.
Vanessa contrasts her own routine with her husband Dan’s. She cuts her own hair at home, so she says “I’m going to cut my hair” or “I’m going to trim my hair.” To trim means to cut a small amount, often just the ends. She also says she trims her hair whenever she feels like it, meaning whenever she wants to or thinks it is a good time. Because she cuts Dan’s hair, she can say “I cut his hair.” But Dan is receiving the haircut, so he can say “He is getting a haircut” or “He gets a haircut once every two months.”
The difference depends on who performs the action and who receives it. A person can cut their own hair, cut someone else’s hair, or get a haircut from someone else. For frequency, “once every two months” means one time during each two-month period. Vanessa asks learners, “How often do you get a haircut?” She also gives the alternative “How often do you go to the hair cutter?” In common American English, “barber,” “hairstylist,” or “hair salon” may sound more natural depending on the person and setting.
To practise, say how often you get a haircut and who usually cuts it. If you cut your own hair, say “I cut my own hair” or “I trim it.” If someone else does it, use “I get a haircut.” Vanessa invites learners to write a sample sentence and share it in the comments. The main learning point is to choose get or cut according to who is doing the cutting.