Italian Phrase
Copriti, fuori fa un freddo cane.
Meaning
The speaker is telling someone to cover themselves because the temperature outside is extremely low. The idiom “fa un freddo cane” intensifies the cold, conveying that it feels as harsh as a dog’s bite.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to warn a friend, family member, or colleague that it’s bitterly cold outside and they should put on extra clothing. It’s informal and works well in everyday conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Copriti,fuorifaunfreddocane.
Imperative + reflexive pronoun
In Italian the reflexive pronoun attaches to the end of the verb in the imperative (e.g., Copri‑ti → Copriti).
fa + un + noun (weather idiom)
The verb fare is used impersonally to describe weather: fa + un + noun (fa freddo, fa pioggia, fa un freddo cane).
Freddo cane idiom
Literally “cold dog”, this colloquial expression means ‘extremely cold’, similar to English “freezing cold”.
Fuori as an adverb
Fuori means ‘outside’ and works as an adverb without a preposition.
🗨In Conversation
Copriti, fuori fa un freddo cane.
Cover yourself, it’s freezing cold outside.
Grazie, metto subito il cappotto.
Thanks, I’ll put on my coat right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Fa un freddo molto fuori.
‘Freddo’ is a noun; you can’t modify it with ‘molto’. Use the idiom ‘fa un freddo cane’ or ‘fa molto freddo’.
Copri ti, fuori fa un freddo cane.
In the imperative the reflexive pronoun must be attached to the verb without a space.
Fa un cane freddo fuori.
The idiom places ‘cane’ after ‘freddo’; swapping them loses the idiomatic meaning.
↔Alternatives
Metti un cappotto, fuori fa un freddo terribile.
Put on a coat, it’s terribly cold outside.
Stai al caldo, fuori c’è un freddo cane.
Stay warm, there’s a freezing cold outside.
Fatti una sciarpa, fuori fa un freddo cane.
Get a scarf, it’s freezing cold outside.
Cultural Tip
The expression “freddo cane” is a classic Italian colloquialism that uses an animal metaphor to stress intensity, much like English “cold as a dog”. It’s common in informal speech across Italy, but you’ll hear it less in formal writing or news reports. Pair it with other weather verbs (fa caldo, fa pioggia) for a natural sounding conversation.