Learn Hardcore Italian: Chiudo la porta per non far entrare il freddo. - I close the door so as not to let the cold in.

In Italian entrare is an intransitive verb (“to enter”) and cannot take a direct object. To say “to let something enter,” you use the causative construction fare + infinitive. So:
• far entrare = “to let/make enter”
In your sentence, per non far entrare il freddo literally means “in order not to let the cold in.”

Why is the verb fare shortened to far in per non far entrare?

When fare stands immediately before another infinitive, Italian often drops the final -e for euphony and flow. Both per non far entrare and per non fare entrare are correct, but the truncated far is more fluid. You’ll see the same in phrases like far capire, far mangiare, etc.

Why is non placed before far and not before entrare?

Non precedes the verb it negates. Here it negates the whole causative action far entrare (“let in”). Splitting far and entrare with non in the middle (e.g. far non entrare) is ungrammatical.

Could I use affinché or perché instead of per?

Yes, but you’d switch to a subjunctive clause:
• Chiudo la porta perché non entri il freddo.
• Chiudo la porta affinché non entri il freddo.
Here perché/affinché express purpose and require the subjunctive (non entri). Using per + infinitive (per non far entrare) is more concise and very common.

Why is there a definite article il before freddo?

Italian typically uses definite articles with general or abstract nouns, including many weather terms:
• il freddo, il caldo, la pioggia
Omitting the article (non far entrare freddo) would sound unnatural.

Could I say Chiudo la porta così non entra il freddo?

Yes. Così (“so/like this”) is colloquial and often used in spoken Italian:
• Chiudo la porta così non entra il freddo.
It conveys the same idea but is less formal than per non far entrare.

What tense is chiudo, and why is the present used here?

Chiudo is the present indicative, first-person singular. In Italian, the present tense can describe:
• An action happening right now (“I’m closing the door.”)
• A habitual or general action (“I always close the door when it’s cold.”)
Context tells you whether it’s immediate or habitual.

What’s the difference between using per non far entrare and a subjunctive clause?

• per + infinitive (per non far entrare): concise, straightforward, common in everyday speech and writing.
• perché/affinché + subjunctive (perché/affinché non entri): more formal or explicit about the purpose.
Both convey purpose; choose based on formality and style.