Learn Hardcore Italian: Ci vogliono solo pochi minuti per usare l’asciugacapelli, ma io preferisco lasciar asciugare i capelli all’aria. - It only takes a few minutes to use the hair dryer, but I prefer to let my hair dry in the air.

It translates to “it takes” in English. In this context, Ci vogliono solo pochi minuti means “It only takes a few minutes…”, describing the amount of time needed for the action that follows.

Why is the preposition per followed by an infinitive, as in per usare l’asciugacapelli?

In Italian, when a verb comes after the preposition per (meaning “to” or “for”), it is used in the infinitive form. Therefore, usare (to use) follows per, making per usare l’asciugacapelli mean “to use the hair dryer.”

Why does lasciare appear as lasciar in preferisco lasciar asciugare i capelli all’aria?

This is an example of a common informal contraction in Italian. When an infinitive ending in -are (like lasciare) is immediately followed by another verb that begins with a vowel (here, asciugare), speakers often drop the final e for easier, smoother pronunciation. So lasciar and lasciare convey the same meaning.

Could you explain how the structure preferisco lasciar asciugare i capelli all’aria works grammatically?

Certainly. The main verb preferisco (I prefer) is followed by an infinitive, which is a common pattern to express preferences in Italian. Here, lasciar (to let) governs another infinitive asciugare (to dry). The object i capelli (the hair) is what is being dried, and all’aria (in the air) indicates the method of drying. Thus, the structure altogether means “but I prefer to let my hair dry naturally in the air.”

What is the purpose of the phrase all’aria in the sentence?

All’aria literally means “to the air” or, more idiomatically, “in the open air”. It specifies that the speaker prefers a natural drying process for their hair—air-drying—rather than using a mechanical method like a hair dryer.