Learn Hardcore Italian: Aprilo con calma: il cane lì dietro abbaia solo se ti vede correre. - Open it calmly: the dog behind it barks only if it sees you running.

Aprilo is the second person singular affirmative imperative of aprire (“to open”) plus the direct object pronoun lo (“it”). In Italian, with positive commands, pronouns attach to the end of the verb:
• aprilo = “open it.”
In negative commands, pronouns go before the verb: non lo aprire.

Why is con calma used here instead of an adverb like calmamente?

While Italian has -mente adverbs (e.g., calmamente), con calma (“with calm”) is more idiomatic and common in everyday speech. Many manner expressions use con + noun to convey an adverbial sense.

What does lì dietro mean, and why is lì placed before dietro?

Lì dietro means “back there” or “over there behind.” The adverb lì (“there”) modifies dietro (“behind”). Placing lì first emphasizes the specific location at the back. You could say just dietro, but lì dietro is clearer.

Why is abbaia in the present tense?

Abbaia is the third person singular present indicative of abbaiare (“to bark”). It states a general or habitual fact: the dog barks (habitually) when it sees you run.

Why do we use the present indicative vede after se, and not the subjunctive?

After se (“if”), Italian uses the indicative for real or factual conditions. Since the dog really barks when it sees you running, you say se ti vede. The subjunctive would appear only in hypothetical or contrary-to-fact clauses.

Why is correre in the infinitive after ti vede?

With perception verbs like vedere, Italian often follows the verb with an infinitive to show the action perceived. So ti vede correre = “it sees you run.” Alternatively, you could say ti vede che corri, but using the infinitive is more concise.

What role does solo play here? Can we use soltanto instead?

Solo means “only,” restricting the barking to that one condition. You can indeed use soltanto as a synonym: soltanto se ti vede correre. Both are correct; solo is simply shorter and very common.

Why is there a colon between the clauses?

The colon links a command to its explanation or consequence. It connects Aprilo con calma (“Open it calmly”) with the reason why you should do so: il cane lì dietro abbaia solo se ti vede correre. It highlights a cause-and-effect relationship.