Learn Hardcore Italian: Non piegarlo ora, lascialo asciugare al sole. - Don’t fold it now, let it dry in the sun.

It’s the negative tu-imperative in Italian, formed with non + infinitive. For the familiar “you” (tu), you say non + infinitive to command “don’t do X.”

Why is the object pronoun lo attached to piegarlo instead of placed before the verb?

When the verb appears as an infinitive (as in the negative imperative), object pronouns always attach to its end (enclisis). That’s why it’s non piegarlo, never non lo piegare.

Why does lasciare require a second verb (asciugare) in this sentence?

Lasciare here functions as a causative (or catenative) verb: “to let” or “allow” something to happen. It must be followed by another verb in the infinitive—asciugare (“to dry”)—to show what you’re letting it do.

Why do we write lascialo (one word) instead of lascia lo?

For positive tu imperatives, object pronouns attach to the end of the verb (enclisis). So lascia (let) + lo (it) becomes lascialo. Splitting them (lascia lo) isn’t standard in modern Italian.

Could I use fai asciugare instead of lascialo asciugare, and what’s the difference?

Fai asciugare (“make [it] dry”) implies you’re actively causing or forcing the drying. Lascialo asciugare (“let [it] dry”) simply means allow the natural process to occur. The latter is more idiomatic when giving gentle instructions.

What does al sole mean, and why not sotto il sole?

Al sole literally means “in the sun” and is the usual Italian way to say “expose to sunlight.” Sotto il sole (“under the sun”) is understood but less common for this kind of instruction.

How do I pronounce the diphthong in piegarlo?

The ie in piegarlo is a rising diphthong pronounced [jɛ], so pie- sounds like “pyeh.” The g before a is a hard [ɡ]. Altogether: [ˈpjɛːɡarlo].